North London openings in the National Gardens Scheme

But every so often, such as 1870 when William Robinson published The Wild Garden, come waves of reassessment.

We are living through such a moment, with the loss of open ground, insects, birds, etc, a countervailing enthusiasm for wildflowers and a more natural look is upon us.

So now is a good time to pay attention to weeds.

Anna Chapman Parker gave a talk in the cafe at Camden Garden Centre about her book Understorey alongside Wild City author Florence Wilkinson (Image: Duckworth Books)

Sometime ago, Duckworth Books sent a proof copy of Anna Chapman Parker’s Understorey, A Year Among Weeds in case I wanted to endorse it.

A quick leaf through the pages of lively spontaneous drawings, text, quotes and occasional photographs was enough to suggest that here was something special, disguised as an ordinary walk through a year of accompanying young children to school.

A walk made less ordinary by always having a pen and notebook to hand, and a mind ready to embrace weeds.

Last Wednesday (June 26) Chapman Parker and Florence Wilkinson (whose Wild City has just come out in paperback) were in conversation about the book at Camden Garden Centre's cafe Pritchard and Ure.

A gathering at a favourite garden centre about an arresting topic?  Naturally, I went along.

On a warm evening, surrounded by carefully curated bric-a-brac, seemingly from the homes of great-aunts back from a vanishing empire, we sat in a curve facing the speakers.

Several of the group fanning themselves added to the memories of old Penang atmosphere, but as soon as the conversation started, there we were in Berwick-on-Tweed with Anna in the 2020s, intent on the marginal spaces that weeds favour;  the edges of car parks, the base of litter bins and lamp posts, the scruffy bits of any British town with a council stretched for cash.

Mercifully stretched in this case - less money, fewer herbicides.

Anna talked about the title, Understorey, how she knew that weeds are not really what botanists mean by that term, but how the association with underdog felt fitting.

The fact that weeds are not highly regarded led Florence to comment that so many beings, like pigeons or squirrels, have low status, that we only value the rare.

Anna is not a campaigning nature writer but an observer.  Here, her book says, are fascinating and beautiful plants, and drawing them is a way of paying attention.  The book is well worth anyone’s attention.

Things To Do

Put out fresh water for birds and other creatures

Try not to let pots dry out, mulch on top helps.

Still time to sow salad crops, like lettuce leaves and radishes.

Good local gardens to visit through the National Gardens Scheme (ngs.org.uk) Sun July 7, Railway Cottages, 2 Dorset Rd N22, 2.00 – 5.30, 77 Muswell Rd, Flat 1, N10, 2.00 – 6.00, Mon July 15, Medicinal Plants, Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, NW1 11.00 – 4.00, guided tours throughout the day.

Two gardens with exotic planting open Sun July 21, 11 Park Ave. North, Crouch End, 11.30 – 5.30 and 4 Atterbury Rd., N4, 2.00 – 6.00 (the latter also open July 20, 5.00 – 8.00 pm).

Highgate Horticultural Society Summer Flower Show, Sat July 13, United Reformed Church, South Grove, Highgate, 2.00 – 4.30.