Someone helped themselves to bout 20 Daylily plants from our school garden this weekend! At least two were seedlings that can't be replaced. A couple of them they left a fan or two but did not plant it back well and by the time I found them today they are suffering from the 90 plus degree heat.

I am so sad this happened. For those that do not know me or know about our school garden, I teach with daylilies. Our school has a large garden around it with both named daylilies and student seedlings. We even have a small bed of Shirley Farmer seedlings that I obtained from her daughter after her passing. Many plants in the garden were obtained through my Daylily club and from generous hybridizers.

To make a long story short(er), our school is remodeling the front entry and the entire front bed has to be removed for the expanded entry. We already moved several plants we wanted to keep to the side of the school near the greenhouse. We have been selling others as we do not have enough room to keep them all. The thief not only took plants from the front but also some of the moved keepers. They even went into the seedling bed and took some! I am afraid to keep looking as I am sure there are some missing that I have not even noticed yet.

I am posting here because I know people here can sympathize with me as we love our daylilies. When I told my husband about it, he tried to show sympathy but also let me know I put a lot of volunteer time/effort into the school garden and the school district does not seem to appreciate it.

Thank you for letting me vent.

Feeling a little frustrated,
Lisa

I would bet that the THIEF lives nearby. So sad.

What is even sadder is that if they had asked, and could not pay a few dollars, I would probably have given them some of most of them.

A student that was helping me today wanted to camp out tonight to protect them....how sweet.

It is sad indeed! I am so sorry to hear that. If only they would ask, they could probably have received not only more plants but also great advice on how best to grow them from you. I have seen pics of daylilies from your sales that you sent out to atp members that were extremely generous.

Lisa, I'm so sorry. I would be upset if that happened to me too. It's a violation of our property, space, and sense of security when people steal from us. It also thrums against our strong sense of right and wrong, is hard to understand how someone could do something so overtly wrong.

Your school gardens are beautiful. What a shame that people would do this. It makes me feel so bad. I can only imagine how upset you must have been.

well if its the entry there should be some cameras. ? I would call up your news station and have them do a story on how some lowlife stole flowers from a bunch of children

Also a good life lesson to the kids to see how stealing affects others and why it is wrong. I know kids should know that, but really, some just aren't taught that and feeling it first hand really drives it home. I had some things stolen from me once and even had an idea who did it but couldn't prove it. It really sucks !

That's a shame Lisa. Staying at mom's in-town house I've dealt with plant vandalism and plant thievery. Not a happy day and I'm sorry for you and contributing friends.

So right! Go get the office to check their video surveillance cameras to see if they got pictures of the dastardly thief.

THEN call the local TV station to come and do a story on the theft. Heck, you can easily say that the value of those daylilies would be in the hundreds of dollars if you had not had them donated.

By the way, I also volunteer at our local school garden, and even though the school district never acknowledges our efforts, it's the appreciation of the teachers and kids that really counts, and they tell us every time how much the garden means to them. Don't get discouraged.

So sorry this happened. I'm surprised the thief took so many since it takes time and effort to dig those up. Many years ago a thief came into my yard, dug up three of my daylilies, and cut several bouquets full of daisies, balloon flowers and other perennials. I was really upset and felt violated. I imagine that's how you feel.

I can't replace seedlings, and my collection is limited but I would happily replace any "in commerce" daylilies that I grow, or even purchase to donate. Do you have a list of what might fill some holes or create excitement to drive out feelings of vulnerability.

I bet if we had a list several forumites would chip in.

Charley

I've never understood the rationale behind stealing plants.

I'm so sorry.

After I posted, the thought occurred to me...if there are no security cameras, what's to stop them from doing it again?

Definitely not acceptable, and from a school makes it even worse. It has to be somebody who is around there. I would make a few missing daylily posters that look like the lost dog ones. Include a few heartfelt sentiments about the loss and hang them nearby. Although you may never get the daylilies back, you might give their conscience something to think about, and that would be a good thing! Keep joy in your heart and no one can steal that!

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss Lisa, I have a few small seedling I can send you to help replace some that was taken but my named daylilies are not dividable yet or I'd share those as well. I sure hope they catch that scumbag!!! Luckily out here in the sticks I don't have that problem, but I have 2 dogs that will bite hard for anyone thinking about it.

I am so sorry that happened. I'll bet if you offered a small reward to any student who has information on the theft. Plus did a news story on it. You would find the culprit. It's likely someone who works at or has a child attend the school.

I once had an entire newly planted land scape stolen. I had 5 topiary, dozens of perennials and some nice rocks taken. Three mornings after planting I went out and found holes with trails of soil leading to the road.

It appeared someone pulled up in a truck in the middle of the night and just quickly lifted it up and tossed it in a truck then away they went. 😕 It's very hurtful.

Ever since that lesson. I only put a few things in each year where they might be seen and make sure they are established before moving forward.

All expensive trees I chain to a concrete anchor until they are established. I also put "video surveillance" signs around.

@SpringGreenThumb it's sad you have to go through all that just to have some plants in the front yard. What is this world coming to?

Thank you for all the kind words and support!

Since we are downsizing, I am sure the admin will not do anything about it.

I even have an inkling that who ever did it knew the front cameras have been disconnected to begin renovations .....maybe the thief is closer than I imagined I did catch a school employee taking part of a couple plants ( iris, glads and daylilies) earlier this year when he was only suppose to dig out 3 mums he wanted.

Charley, thank you for your generous offer but we are down sizing and I am not about to put more out there to be taken ...at least not until after the construction is completed.

Now that I am have vented, I am trying to understand why someone felt they could take them and the only reasonable answer is they convinced themselves that since the construction is going to start in late July, that the school did not want/need them.

Ok, again I appreciate the support but I need to get some sleep. Good night and thank you.

Lisa

I am so very sorry to read about this!!