Leaf It With Me”: Shire Woman Builds Thriving Nursery from ‘Innocent’ Bunnings and Flower Power Cuttings

Riley Corbett | Crimes Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

21 April 2025

KIRRAWEE — What began as a single, well-intentioned “rescue” of a drooping peperomia leaf in the indoor plant section at Bunnings has, over the course of nine quietly industrious years, escalated into a full-blown backyard propagation empire built entirely on stolen cuttings.

Local green thumb and part-time kleptobotanist Alesha Morton, 42, says it all started innocently enough. “It was just dangling there. About to fall. I thought, why let it go to waste?” she said, gesturing vaguely toward a greenhouse that now requires council approval.

What followed was a steady, systematic campaign of botanical “liberation” from Bunnings Taren Point and Flower Power Caringbah, resulting in hundreds of plants, a thriving Instagram brand (@propagateandliberate), and what appears to be an informal retail supply chain.

“I never bought a plant,” she confirmed proudly. “That’s the whole point. Why would I pay $26.95 for something I can snip when no one’s looking?”

Over time, her entire yard was consumed: benches, trays, misting systems, tiered shelving. At last count, she had 370 potted plants in circulation, a monthly market stall, and a waitlist for her signature “rescue-rooted devil’s ivy.”

Bunnings staff refer to her only as The Clipper, while Flower Power employees have been trained to initiate “passive aisle blocking” techniques when she arrives in oversized sunglasses and a linen apron.

Botanist Dr Nigel Frayne says it’s “technically horticulture, morally grey, and undeniably thriving.” When asked if any legal action might be taken, he shrugged: “It’s hard to prosecute someone for plant crimes when their hanging baskets look that good.”

Despite whispers of an expansion into terrariums, Alesha insists she’s overwhelmed. “Honestly, I’d stop… but the propagation doesn’t. Once you start, the trays just keep filling. I’m not in control anymore. The cuttings are.”

Bunnings Flower Power Cuttings