Weeds on Trial

Ruth Binney has been fascinated by the natural world since childhood, and is an experienced gardening writer. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has been involved in countless publications during her career as an editor. She is a best-selling author of numerous books on the countryside, country folklore and mythology, homemaking and cooking, and made frequent broadcasts on BBC radio including Gardeners Question Time. She lives in Yeovil.

WEEDS ON TRIAL Introduction SECTION 1: ANNUALS and BIENNIALS Introduction Charlock - Sinapis arvensis Chickweed - Stellaria media Common groundsel - Senecio vulgaris Fat hen - Chenopodium album Field pennycress - Thlaspi arvense Goosegrass - Galium aparine Hairy bittercress - Cardamine hirsuta Hedge mustard - Sisymbrium (formerly Erysimum) officinale Herb Robert - Geranium robertianum Himalayan balsam - Impatiens glandulifera Knotgrass - Polygonum aviculare Prickly sow thistle - Sonchus asper Red deadnettle - Lamium purpureum Scarlet pimpernel - Anagallis arvensis Shepherd's purse - Capsella bursa-pastoris Smooth sow thistle - Sonchus oleraceus Spear thistle - Cirsium vulgare SECTION 2: PERENNIALS Introduction Bramble - Rubus fruticosus Broad-leaved dock - Rumex obtusifolius Couch grass - Elymus repens Creeping buttercup - Ranunculus repens Creeping thistle - Cirsium arvense Curled dock - Rumex crispus Daisy - Bellis perennis Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale Enchanter's nightshade - Circaea leutetiana Field bindweed - Convolvulus arvensis Greater bindweed - Calystegia sepium Greater plantain - Plantago major Ground elder - Aegopodium podagraria Horsetail - Equisetum arvense Japanese knotweed - Fallopia japonica Lesser celandine - Ranunculus ficaria Lesser hairy willowherb - Epilobium parviflorum Lords and ladies - Arum maculatum Ragwort - Senecio jacobaea Red clover - Trifolium pratense Slender speedwell - Veronica filiformis Stinging nettle - Urtica dioica White clover - Trifolium repens White deadnettle - Lamium maculatum SECTION 3: GARDEN `THUGS' Introduction Bamboo - Arundinaria, Phyllostachys and other types Borage - Borago officinalis Buddleia - Buddleja davidii Crocosmia - Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Grape hyacinth - Muscari armenaicum Horseradish - Armoracia rusticana Ivy - Hedera helix Japanese anemone - Anemone hupehensis, Anemone hupehensis var. japonica and many named varieties Jerusalem artichoke - Helianthus tuberosus Lemon balm - Melissa officinalis Leyland cypress - Cuprocyparis leylandii Mint - Mentha x piperita Stag's horn sumach - Rhus typhinia SECTION 4: DEALING WITH WEEDS (reference) Introduction Tools for weeding Composting weeds Mulching Weed killers Lawns Weeds and the law The weed vocabulary Index