Gardens' golden blooms a temptation but best left for all to enjoy
The last days of winter in Christchurch are made glorious by the blooming of daffodils in city parks and private
gardens, but anyone tempted to take away a bunch should know there are many people prepared to protect these public
treasures.
Early bloomers are now breaking out and already City Council staff in the Botanic Gardens have been contacted about
people seen crossing the line from enjoyment to plunder. In both cases, the callers noted down the offender's vehicle
number plates and other identifying details.
With the information provided, staff tracked down the two offenders, one from outside the city, and both were reported
to be genuinely remorseful. One had made their harvest near the netball courts, the other from the dell area near the
hospital.
"There are signs up around the Gardens entrances reminding people that taking flowers is not allowed but we don't want
to surround the dells with signs because we think it takes away from the natural look of the place," one staff member
said.
"People need to know the daffodils are there for everyone to enjoy," he said. "They also need to know there's many many
public-spirited people who just love this annual display and are prepared to go out of their way to identify and tell us
about anyone breaking the rules."
ends