Saidie Angell had several plants and ornaments stolen from her garden. The community have rallied around and donated various pieces to replace the ones stolen.

﻿A south Auckland community has rallied around a "humble" woman whose beloved garden was ripped to pieces by a thief.

Saidie Angell, 72, lives alone in Papakura and loves her garden.

So when she went out for her morning cup of tea on Friday and found the garden "completely cleaned out", she was "gutted".

Son Ebbie Angell said 90 per cent of her plants - mostly potted colour - had been pulled from the ground.

READ MORE:

* Police bust house with over 300 stolen garden ornaments

* Stolen garden ornaments continue to puzzle Matamata police​

* What thieves are nicking from your garden

Her garden ornaments, including a number of gnomes, and a shovel had also been stolen.

"They went for gold," her son said.

Chris Skelton/Stuff The Papakura community "really pulled through" for Angell, dropping off potted plants to replace those stolen and bringing around scones, son Ebbie said.

Saidie Angell loves to "putter around" her house and garden, and despite being on the pension, spends what she can to keep things nice, he said.

His mother was the "only old lady in the street" and everyone looked after each other, so the theft left her feeling violated, Ebbie Angell said.

Outraged to hear it had all been taken, Ebbie Angell turned to his local community Facebook page to warn others.

He wasn't expecting the warning post would yield such "overwhelming" support.

Since posting online, neighbours and people in the extended community had been dropping off everything from plates of scones to plants, and replacement ornaments.

Another woman wanted to help but couldn't deliver things herself, so had enlisted a local courier driver to help, he said.

SUPPLIED People in the community started dropping gifts over to Angell's house, including those pictured, after the theft, son Ebbie said.

"Papakura really pulled through for us."

The words of support they'd received had restored his mother's sense of trust in the community.

"I made mum read every single comment... I've never seen her so happy," he said.

"She's flying on clouds."

Angell and her son had not reported the theft to the police, as she didn't want to make a "kerfuffle".

It's not the first time this has happened to her.

She saw someone stealing plants from her property in broad daylight about 18 months ago, Ebbie Angell said.