The officers spent a day in the garden digging up the plants and re-potting them after a trail of soil led them to the thief’s front door.

Leading Senior Constable Jason Peers said the plants, ranging from small shrubs to hedges, were taken during a theft spree spanning about three weeks.

Officers used pots and bags to safely transport their cargo back to the station and then cared for them until they were claimed.

“Everyone at the station chipped in,” he said.

The stolen plants had each been freshly planted in their owner’s garden when the green-fingered thief struck. 

The final theft of a weeping silver birch proved too big for the thief, who had to drag it home, leading police to their overflowing garden.

Leading Senior Constable Peers said so far, about 12 people had been reunited with their stolen plants.

“Most of the stolen property was returned and that’s important to us,” he said.

“People were really good and supportive of each other to get the word out.”

A 55-year-old woman from Kyneton will be charged on summons in relation to the thefts.