Visiting gardens/taking cuttings

A while back someone turned up on my doorstep clutching a pair of secateurs and a polythene bag and asked if he could snip some bits off a rosemary bush (I'm not sure whether he intended to cultivate his own plant, or just use the sprigs for cooking!). I didn't mind in the least - especially as he could have just pinched bits of plant without asking. It was rather nice that someone recognised what I was growing as I can't say my road is noted for its keen gardeners, or cooks for that matter.

I think the key is always to ask before you take cuttings.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with pinching a bit off a plant that is overgrown and in a public place. I would never take anything from anyone's garden or anywhere that was 'cultivated' - I don't think many people could say they have never dead-headed one flower head in a park for its seed, or by the side of the road.

But I think here we are talking about something totally different. The very fact that you pay to get into these places shows that they are private property and someone is putting in a lot of care for that garden. To go round cutting bits off to 'help yourself' is at its base level bl**dy bad manners, and what our parents all taught us not to do as toddlers!! But then, an awful lot of people show no respect for other people or there belongings, sad but true.

 

Coming onto this thread late, but it's stealing, plan and simple, whether it's a National Trust garden or a private open garden.

 

This thread is a missed opportunity for a poll !! It would have been unanimous, I'm sure.

 

Wouild I???????....No......bound to get caught....

 

Dear oh dear. The hardened crims on this forum.

 

:lollol: Cheeky!! I'm sure I'm in good company! Hee hee.

I fear I am in danger of being tarred with the same brush as the original theif in question. I would like to distance myself!

 

I saw a member of the public happily wandering through the flower beds in town last year, picking herself a bunch of tulips! That's also stealing.

 

I can't believe what people get up to!! Maybe we should start a 'caught on camera' most wanted thread with fuzzed out faces!! That would be hilarious!

 

You pinch things? Surely that is the same as saying " I steal things"?

 

I get a sense that a lot of us are being 'holier than thou'.

I don't think it is right to take cuttings from places open to the public, for the simple reason that a lot of people might be tempted and if everyone did it it could cause a lot of damage in a place that is well cared for. But I wouldn't have much compunction about a pub car park or a garage forecourt or a piece of common land, where probably only one person a year does it, and the owner couldn't care less. The only problem is that they don't have anything I fancy.

 

Well said PeterS!