Gardening purely by propagation

I don't think you're 'allowed' to take cuttings from parks etc. If everybody did that, there'd be nothing left lol.
But I must say I once 'rescued' some Iresines from a flower display in Brixham. They were going to be thrown away as it was being dug up .... but I think I took a risk. What if I was caught :O
Good luck with your seed collecting. It's certainly cheeper to do it like that, and more exciting aswell :o)

That's a route that I like to take, but being wary of 'stealing' I tend to take notice instead of fallen seed heads of anything and pocket them until I can plant them up, then see what I've got. In this region just about anywhere is decorated with pots and tubs of various flowers ..... I now have a very happy little garden area filled with colourful Tagetes, the seedhead having been 'pinched' from a tub outside a bar while I was having coffee. I also have several very healthy Spider Plants, grown on from a sickly grey close-to-death tiny rootless plant that I found on the ground in a GC. It's grown 'babies' which have matured and grown babies of their own and I use them to fill in empty spaces in the garden. Good luck with your 'hunting.' :o)

You have a community garden in the making so ask the council parks department if you can get any spare plants they have or if they would mind allowing you to go along and get some cuttings. One of our gardening club members collared the men digging out the spent tulips and asked what happened to them. It turned out they got composted so he asked if he could rescue a few and they brought him round a big sack of bulbs. He was elderly so don't expect that level of service lol but he enjoyed his council tulips for years.
I admired a shrub in a public garden we were visiting and the gardener offered me a few cuttings. If I'd had a plastic bag in my pocket I'd have taken them but as we were on holiday I declined the offer. Ask and it shall be given unto you is still a good idea. Happy hunting.

Its a marvellous idea but afraid it is considered stealing and in some places would also be considered vandalism, I remember as a kid my mum would very often hand over a twig and say Susie hide that in your jumper, in our day of cameras and spies everywhere my mum would be up the town hall steps hauled before the magistrates..
Scotsgran is right you can always ask if you spot a groundsman you might find yourself an obliging one.
Its a good feeling growing and propagating your own so enjoy and I hope you do well.
Welcome to Goy Magna..

Great idea but yes it is stealing, but can't see it doing any harm from houses where nobody lives but would not take from parks etc, good look with the seeds look froward to seeing your photos, welcome to GOY from me aswell.

Think you could gather seed from anywhere and maybe even the odd cutting or two!! Not sure on that score, but I rescued a Berberis from a skip at the GC. the other week, couldnt bear to see it lying there with no water or soil, it looks good in my garden and is perking up. i also found growing in the pavement three lavendar babies and have put them in my daughters garden, they too are growing nicely! I do try to rescue plants that need help, I think its a great idea of yours Magna, go for it!

It is always stealing to take seedheads or cuttings from property that doesn't belong to you; this is not to say that I have to plead 'guilty, my lud, on occaisions. If there is a gardeners around, ask. I have never been refused.

Thanks, I will refrain from taking anything from parks, and well tended gardens, but tomorrow I am going salvaging at One of the abandoned properties I mentioned, will put up a blog, am just back from a wonderful day at Kelburn Castle in Largs, Ayrshire, seen some beautiful and ancient plants and trees that I am going to post later. Thanks for your replies and advice. I will be Havin a chat with the parks dept :)

Magna, I always think that by taking a few dried seeds is not stealing but its making more plants for others to see and enjoy! Most folk leave their seed heads on anyway and dont use them, what a waste.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do Magna! There is an empty plot of land in my village which used to be a plant nursery - I have wandered around here a few times hoping to find some wee beauties which have survived and self seeded. Other than Buddleja, Lady's Mantle and hundreds of Birch tree saplings - there is nothing to be had. There is however - the most beautiful Acer tree growing ''in'' the boundary wall - it will be a shame when they come to demolish it. It would be too big for me to bribe someone to get it out for me and transplant - which is really disappointing :))
You could always ask neighbours if they have something you fancy - I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing. I know I wouldn't. I have a lady round the corner who quite often admires some of the things I have and have on many occassion lifted and split a bit of plant for her.

You'll find that most gardeners are very generous Magna! When I started gardening in our first house the number of friends who gave away plants and cuttings was unbelievable - It's a great way to start your garden off. I've got lots of plants here that people have given me over the years or I've taken cuttings of. I've even managed to move some favourites from house to house -they remind me of some really happy memories :o)))

Thanks, Im going wandering this afternoon hoping to catch some locals in their gardens.and see what response I get to asking nicely......sun is out in Glasgow today so hoping the green fingered brigade will be out....and got a few things to swap...few trays of seedlings just starting to get their true leaves will be ready for splitting out soon... my red hot poker and my 6 primulas.........Got a meeting with the School this afternoon as well so going to speak to them regarding approaching parks dept. Im going to take some pics of the school gardens today to blog about as theres a huge herbaceous bed and we need help with whats what, what we can split and what should be left alone. I want to try and organise a plant swap/sale....I think I need to change jobs!!!!! being stuck behind a desk starting to frustrate me!

We recently dug over our ront garden and had loads of unwanted plants, day lillies, hardy geraniums etc and every one who passed by and said hello, went away with a plant!!

Good luck this afternoon.

Mini doodle wasn't feeling cooperative today so plans changed to suit her x took my frustration out on the front hedge which had now been partially scalped.....it looks horrifying but I know it's for the greater good..... Also a bit sad, my ivy which I have trained along a dividing boundary wall is offending mrs next door as its going over the coping stones and offending her, so I need to trim it back..... Was just admiring how bubbly it was at top last night too. Hope it doesn't look too bad after its haircut :( will put pics on tomorrow of both offending items..

I'm sure all the mums will sympathise. Minis have the habit of making your plans go haywire. My sympathy is with Mrs next door on the ivy though. Unless your wall is absolutely crack free the ivy will destroy it. I planted a lovely one a friend gave me and in the end I had to put ivy killer on it because it was raising the coping stones on the top of the wall having managed to squeeze its roots in to a small crack. I would not give it house room. Sorry. I'm sure your hedge will survive as long as it is not one where you should not cut in to the old wood. Look forward to seeing your photos.