Pampas grass is hot property

Revived interest in the decorative use of pampas grass seed heads has triggered an outbreak of theft across the country.

Private gardens and public plantings of the evergreen in Sussex, Manchester and now Tyneside have been stripped of their flowers, with some risking busy roundabouts to collect prized plumes.

South Tyneside council now wants to put a stop to the theft from pampas plantings on the seafront at South Shields, which are used to stabilise the sand dunes and stop sand blowing on to the road. “We’ re urging people not to come here and take it away, it’s there for a reason,” said councillor Ernest Gibson.

An iconic plant of the 1970s, the grass is now making a comeback due to interest in recreating the retro style of the period. Bunches of seed heads are finding their way on to online marketing sites, priced at £40 or more.