In the course of my work I get sent many garden books to review – some I keep for reference, some I give to friends or good causes, but just occasionally one is so good that I keep it for myself and then buy further copies as presents. Wonderful Weeds is just such a book, written by botanist Madeleine Harley. Its great strength is that the photography shows each weed in its various stages of development from seedling to seedhead, helping gardeners enormously in the identification of problem plants. The text is clear and concise, offers advice on control and on regeneration (for the more desirable weeds e.g. campion) and also touches on its herbal and culinary uses as well as its folklore. It would make a perfect gift for any gardener.
