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Bizarre theft mystifies one Langford resident

Former master gardener worries about the fate of her stolen rhodos
GNG-Rhodo lady 2-RS
Langford resident Elizabeth tends to one of the remaining rhododendrons in her backyard.

A long-time Langford resident is absolutely mystified by rhododendrons robbers who took four mature shrubs from her backyard.

Elizabeth Mulvey said the theft happened two weeks ago. The rhododendrons - derived from an ancient Greek word for tree - were about four feet tall and four feet wide.

“I was shocked that someone would do that,” said Mulvey, who has lived on Haslam Avenue since 1985. “I’ve never heard of anything like this in our neighbourhood before. You feel like your privacy has been invaded. My friends think it’s very bizarre.”

The former master gardener is also concerned about what will happen to the rhodos, which she has nurtured for the past 10 years.

“They don’t take kindly to being uprooted or transplanted,” said Mulvey, adding that gardening is her favourite activity. She has donated flowers from her garden to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish on Goldstream Avenue for many years.

West Shore RCMP attended the scene and opened a file, but said there wasn’t much that could be done. “The officer was wonderful and I really appreciated the service they provided,” she said.

Mulvey was also moved by an unexpected act of kindness by the teachers and members of the French class she attends once a week at the Juan de Fuca Seniors Centre.

“The teachers, Michele and Sam Jess, are originally from France, and wonderful people,” she said. “When they heard about what happened, they got together with the other people in the class and gave me three rhododendrons. I was really moved and surprised by their very generous gesture.”

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com