Weeds: The beauty and uses of 50 vagabond plants

by Royal Horticultural Society, Gareth Richards

Weeds is a beautiful collection of the most fascinating vagabond plants around. Gorgeous botanical illustrations from the Royal Horticultural Society's archives highlight the delicate charms of 50 captivating species, while in-depth profiles provide key information for the modern gardener on the identification, cultivation and usefulness of weeds. These subversive species no longer need to be seen as "plants out of place". Their natural untamed beauty, ability to thrive under challenging conditions, and the attraction of growing species native to their surroundings have all taken weeds from undesirable to covetable. In the modern wild garden, where harmony with nature is key, weeds are finally getting their moment in the sun.

Genres: Nonfiction, Plants, Nature

208 pages, Hardcover

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861. The Royal Horticultural Society is one of the world’s leading horticultural organizations and the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting gardening.

Vital to the protection of plants, gardens and green spaces for future generations, the RHS helps over two million school children get into gardening and supports more than 1,700 communities to create their own gardens, encouraging people to grow their own food.

The charity also promotes horticulture through world-renowned flowers shows such as the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the Tatton Park Flower Show and the Cardiff Flower Show. These shows exhibit the best in horticulture by providing show gardens, floral marques and expert advice.

In 2004 the society celebrated its bicentenary reflecting all the achievements of the RHS to date.

Reviews

[Jess Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and wonderful short profiles on each of the weeds to learn a bit about them.

[Marghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt more about 50 common plants classified as 'weeds', it was a pleasant read with a short description of each, various interesting facts, and useful information on possible uses of some plants, with beautiful illustrations alongside.

[K8 U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and delightful prose peppered with snippets of poetry and all sorts of information from folklore and history to modern scientific discoveries.
The writing was witty and a pleasure to read. I borrowed it from the library but would probably buy myself a copy for reference.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Could do with a summary page esp. for medicinal/edible use of weeds.