In a typical year, the highlight of yesterday's discussions among staff members would have been news of the first magnolia blossom of the year. That always happy-event was overshadowed by a different topic: the theft of a crown imperial, Fritillaria imperialis. From what I've been able to determine, it was the last remaining individual of this species in the garden. It is even more discouraging to note that this theft will likely have killed the plant, as it was only a few weeks from flowering (one of the worst times to attempt a transplant; in general, fritillarias do not like to be moved at the best of times).
It is always very upsetting when plants are stolen from the garden, and, unfortunately, it happens several times a year. This is the second plant theft so far in 2007. Someone earlier in the year decided to help themselves to a small apple tree that Tony Maniezzo was growing with the intent of being a replacement for one of the espaliers – in fact, I believe it was planted right beside the pole in this photograph.
There are three things that really disgust me about these thefts: the privatization of a public shared good, the potential impact on research projects in the garden and the loss of public investment. You'll have to excuse my language as I'm not fluent in the words to best express some of these concepts, but I'll explain as best I can.
By the privatization of a public shared good, I mean the act of taking something that conceptually belongs to everyone to experience, to enjoy and to learn from and transforming it into a personal possession for the satisfaction of one person alone. I am reminded of the same sort of selfish disregard for others when reading stories about the theft of rocks in the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley. I am not sure what goes on in the mind of the thieves. Is it "I deserve this."? "They won't miss it."? "I can take better care of it."? "If I don't take it, someone else will."?
One small consolation is that this plant was not being used in any research projects. As I am sure you can imagine, thefts from research collections can potentially set back years of study. You might argue that if a plant was so important to a research project it wouldn't be left out in the open or multiple plantings would exist, but that's not the reality of gardening – a particular species might be extremely difficult to propagate, might be difficult to source, might be extremely fussy in where it grows and the required conditions can't be replicated elsewhere, and on and on. I would hate for a graduate student's thesis to have to be redone because of a plant theft.
The garden has also recently started the process of determining the investment required to grow and maintain a plant in its collection. Considering this crown imperial had been in the garden for ten years, I could provide a rough figure on how much the garden has invested, and that number would likely be surprisingly high to you. If you were trying to determine the investment, you'd have to keep in mind that the garden invests money and time into acquiring the material, growing it to a suitable size before it is ready for the garden, tracking the information on what it is and where it is located in the garden, creating tracking labels and display labels, maintaining the bed and nearby pathways for access, mulching, weeding, ensuring the accuracy of recordkeeping and so on. Its loss is not trivial.
Today's photographs are not of the plant that was stolen, but rather a horticultural selection of the same species, the cultivar 'Rubra'. These images were taken by a former employee of the garden, Justin Moore, in 2002. These plants were in the same bed as the stolen Fritillaria imperialis, but died out a couple years ago (related species and cultivars will sometimes be grown together for the ease of comparison). Some of what I described regarding theft similarly applies to plants that die (particularly investment costs). The difference? Plant death is far easier to accept as it is inevitable.
Scott Appell has written about this group of plants for Brooklyn Botanic Garden in his article, “Fritillarias – Spring Blooming Bulbs of Legends and Lore”, if you'd like to learn more.
I am so sorry about loss of your plant and share your feeling.
In the last few days our neighbour cut tree which I always admired and I felt he stolen it from me too. English seem to hate trees!
Krystyna Szulecka
Daniel,
What a shame that someone has to stoop so low and remove plants from your gardens. Having had other things stolen in the past, I can empathize how you feel. You work so hard to provide information to the public and students, and are willing to share with all. It's very unfair of someone to take those items. I will never understand thievery, no matter what is taken. I am so sorry this is happening to your beautiful gardens, it makes me very sad and mad!!!!
Krystyna, I know that English isn't your first language, so I hope others will read your last comment and recognize it as symbolizing frustration and not be offended by something I believe you didn't intend.
As you likely know, modern botany and horticulture owe much to the contributions of people from the UK in the past handful of centuries. It sounds like you are very disappointed in the actions of your neighbour. As much as it hurts, I believe it isn't fair to project the actions of an individual onto an entire group of people, though I suppose that brings up the debate on the nature of culture and the development of the individual within a culture, which I'm not informed enough to participate in.
Your loss is our loss. Your concise and coherent explaination of the impact of that loss strikes a chord. As Parks Maintenance Leadworker for the Historic Olivas Adobe, I have been the one who first discovers theft at the Adobe when opening the grounds in the morning. The grounds of the Adobe are unprotected and easily accessed. The buildings are alarmed, but the plants are on their own. Roses and orchids and cacti vanish over night. Giant stag horn ferns must be chained and bolted down to trees or structures. One minor consolation is that on occassion, nature wreaks its own revenge...Last year two large, second year Geranium maderense, in full bloom, were stolen from a display garden that had been donated and lovingly cared for by one of our garden volunteers. When informed of the theft the volunteer simply smiled and said "Oh well, the thief will have a dead Maderense tomorrow, and we shall have scores of baby plants from the seeds next year". Chin up Daniel...
great photo!
I agree in that I don't know what goes on in the mind of one who takes something that is not his to take. I pray the Lord convicts the heart of those responsible for these deeds. Also, thank you for being faithful with this website, as it is a treat to see the beautiful images daily. Thank you.
The value of your loss is in part mitigated by sharing your wisdom. I hope you can recover the value of the items too. That would make this sorry event much better than it is now.
Please let us know how we might help. Tom G.
I agree with Hank. The final act of thievery will not be accomplished. Your purpose will be more deeply rooted, the dimensions of your heart enlarged and enriched and your blossom and fruit more lush. You, and your entire community are an
invaluable resource and a God- given blessing to us and Him. Remember what He told Adam to watch over- the best of life starts in a garden!
Daniel, I share your sense of outrage. It seems so close and personal when someone takes or destroys somthing your eye loves to rest upon and that the heart is calmed by. Unfortunatly these times are full of these types of disappointments. In the stead of the person who stole this plant I'd like to say that I'm sorry for this loss.
I find it interesting that this unusual plant is native to Iran and Afganistan. In its theft, I sense a symbolism. It's like the national museum in Baghdad that was plundered. Unreplaceable treasures gone.
Here on Salt Spring Island several years ago someone stole our cat. No, not mine, but one that the entire island treasured. He was Fritz, the cat, who lived at Central Hall. He wasn't owned by anyone but by all. He was cared for by many of us, had his own luxury home custom-built, had food delivered daily and he attended and presided over most of the movies shown at the theatre at Central and if you were lucky enough he used your lap while the movie played.
A lady from the Vancouver area took him home with her after a visit to our island. She felt she could provide a better home for him as she thought he was homeless and neglected. She was wrong. He was loved by the entire island. He was our symbol of our independence, uniqueness and willingness to look after each other. After the outcry from us, she reluctantly returned him.
Let's hope your fritallaria was taken for such noble reasons and hope that it will be returned for the same reasons.
Diane
eh. god.
"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
- Carl Sagan
Hopefully the plant died (or will die) and the thief learned a lesson.
As for what goes on inside thieves' heads, it's funny because I was just listening to a song (lyrics said something about giving the stars to someone) and it reminded me of this. Maybe some guy stole it to give it to his lover? (unlikely I know)
Thank you all for the comments. Unfortunately, I don't think this story will have the same happy ending as the theft of Fritz the cat. The plant is likely dead.
I also don't think it was stolen for a lover, since it wouldn't have yet been flowering.
Interesting comment about Afghanistan, Roberta. One of the plants stolen last year was a very difficult to find in cultivation species that is endemic to Afghanistan. Makes one think.
The trade in rare plants is probably quite profitable and it is likely that the thief wasn't thinking at all about his impact on the garden or the public, but about the money he/she could make. Money is a powerful motivator.
What is it about bulbs? The local arboretum has daffodil bulbs taken every year. There have been over 100,000 of them planted faithfully over the years to create an incredible display. Why do people feel they can help themselves? They aren't rare like the fritillaria, even. I guess the arboretum won't miss a few? I feel for your loss!
Ah yes, plant theft. In our alpine garden, I've seen a good share of it, too. In a reductionist world view, some individuals see nature as a commodity, something to pluck, as if an apple from a tree. For me, a similar sentiment applies to those who would 'pave paradise and put up a parking lot'.
There is a quote on the bulletin board in my office which I am reminded to reread at times like this:
"The tree (read plant) which move some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing which stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is imagination itself. As a man is, so he sees." ~William Blake
TAW's comments are ungracious. Those who spoke of God in their kind comments show a more generous spirit. It was quite unnecessary to submit remarks that appear to be an attempt to humiliate someone else and their beliefs. Daniel, thank you for your website. It is a true joy.
Oddly enough, when I first planted my garden my most anticipated flower was a yellow fritillaria imperialis. Unfortunately, its first bloom co-incided with mothers day, and I came home to find that it, along with a good handful of other spring flowers had mysteriously vanished. I was heartbroken, but consoled myself with the thought of the recipient and her family sitting at home, saying, "What's that SMELL?" Fortunately, just the flower, so the plant has bloomed in subsequent years.
It may have been karma, though, since I remember picking a bunch of tulips for my teacher in grade 1, and getting in some serious hot water since I was spotted and the irate owner called the school to see if any kids had shown up with tulips...
Actually, I am always amazed at how much gets stolen by and from gardeners. You'd think we'd be a more honest lot, having an appreciation for the hard work that goes into maintaining a garden, but no. Dad gave up planting a certain shrub in his garden after it was dug up and carted away twice.
I would prefer if the comments steered clear of religion and faith for a couple reasons:
1) I'd prefer the discussion to be about plants. There are plenty of other places on the web to talk about matters of religion.
2) The map of visitors clearly shows BPotD has viewers from around the world. I think it can be reasonably guessed that readers may be Christians, atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, etc. I'd rather emphasize what we all (readers / writers / photographers) share – an interest in plants & an interest in the only inhabitable world we all reside on – than our differences.
I was torn between not replying or letting it go, but I feel this needs to be said.
Stephanie, I find comments about god offensive, and I just wanted to speak out and make it crystal clear that not everyone either agrees with or "respects" their views.
I find them offensive EXACTLY because of what Daniel Mosquin said. Not everyone here is christian, muslim, or whatever religion the comentors are, and for them to state their beliefs as facts and as if everyone believed what they belie is frankly offensive to me because they act as if people like me don't exist or aren't worthy of their consideration.
And this concludes my second and last comment on religion in this website. (again, sorry for commenting about religion again)
I also agree with Daniel that this website is not a place to discuss/comment upon religion and faith. That TAW's latest comment has been posted leads me to believe that I may also make a response. Respecting the beliefs and opinions of others (whether concerning religion or otherwise) does not imply agreement. Of course, we may choose not to give respect. Daniel's original comments concerned a theft and it seemed from the many responses to have introduced the topic of moral choices and values. I don't believe that those whose comments included a reference to their personal belief in God intended to offend or be contemptuous of people who share the views of TAW; I did not read them as such. Perhaps if we had more respect for one another, thefts such as this would be less likely to occur. My comments were meant as a plea to not mock or attack one another; I am sorry that they have provoked what seems to be an angry reply.
I sympathize with everyone's frustration at the loss of something valuable. Human nature being what it is, and not likely to change soon, it strikes me that a certain amount of risk management is in order. Does the garden have insurance for its valuable plants?
Hello Anthony,
The university has a self-insurance reserve - unfortunately, the property loss does not exceed the deductible, if we're speaking only in terms of dollars and cents.
zi have about 30 fritillarias in my garden and no bloom. They have multiplied like rabbits.
They are facing south and in a sandy loam under evergreen trees. Could the soil be too acie?I wish someone would steal some.
I too wish to thank Daniel for his amazingly beautiful and informative web site. It has made my life much richer and my gardening less frustrating because I am more informed.
I simply can not understand why people steal. Yes, I want things too but I don't take someone else's property, I save and purchase what I want and have found I treasure it more because of the sacrifice I made to get it.
I planted a group of late-flowering red tulips in a small garden bed under a Japanese Maple tree next to the street. I never got to see one of them except in bud as in the middle of the night before Mother's Day, while we slept, a thief carefully cut each one, leaving about one inch of stem behind. After the third year I dug up the bulbs, replanted them in my back yard garden and we and the neighbours who can see my back yard garden from their windows now get to enjoy them.
Hey Daniel,
Sorry about the theft of your plant. I loved your photo of the fritillaria imperialis. I am an artist and I would love to do a painting based on your photo. Here's my website if you'd like to check out what I do.
www.herbjungstudio.com
I'd be happy to pay you something for using your image. Whatever you decide is fine by me. It's a very "sensual" image you've captured.
Cheers
Herb
I am sorry to read about the theft in your garden. It drives me to distraction when people steal from our garden. My mother wouldn't let anyone alone in ours, She was more protective of her garden than the family silver!
Hi Daniel -
I seem to have no problem growing crown imperials in my yard, and have an abundance of orange and yellow flowers. If you are in need of plants, perhaps we can arrange to have some brought up this fall for transplant. I make it up to Vancouver a couple times a year.
Best regards,
Paul
These are gorgeous flowers! And a beautiful and unusual plant, quite different than any fritillaria I'm familiar with. The first photo is very sensual and voluptuous -- so many lovely curving lines, such vivid colours.
If you lie upon roses when young, you'll lie upon thorns when old. — Quarles