Muristek
I once fought against the dandelions, nettles and docks that infiltrated my garden. But now I know they are essential, I’m glad I lost the battle
The path to my front door is wild. Tiny things spring from the cracks; moss creeps over the bricks, allowing foxgloves and mulleins to rise up and tower. Wild marjoram has danced from one side to another and is now taking on the top of the brick wall. Under the front step is a crowd of dandelions. I remember writing, many years ago, about my fight to get rid of these dandelions. Clearly, I didn’t win. Now, when I am greeted by them, I am glad I lost the battle. These days, I truly consider them friends.
I didn’t always have a garden that was quite so full of wild things. I am sure many would think I need to do some weeding, but I won’t. Some I might nudge out of the way; some will stay; some will be outcompeted. If anything beastly moves in, I will intervene, but I have fundamentally shifted my position on weeds. They are welcome in my garden, because I know they do more good than harm.
Red campion on a verge in Cornwall. (Photograph: AL Hedderly/Getty Images)
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