Urban Plants is an intriguing look at Britain and Ireland’s urban plants, which make up the built environment on walls, pavements, lawns, parks, playing fields, verges and waste ground. These species find ways to endure in often harsh and uncompromising habitats.
In this book, a leading botanist tells the stories of our urban flowers, ferns and conifers; how they arrived, how they survive – and selects a few species that seized the opportunity to become ‘masters of the streets’.
If planting in urban areas, use no-dig gardening. Learn how to create gardens safe for pets. Avoid facing indoor foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows. Many trees (including oak, yew and sycamore) are unsafe near horses.
Learn how our villages, towns and cities have changed over time – from Roman Britain to reconstruction after World War II, which resulted in the geographical variations that exist today. From London rocket at the Tower of London to the newly evolved York groundsel recently discovered in a railway station car park.
The author also looks at the future of urban plants, and the potential impacts of invasive species, herbicides and climate change. As well as the concept of urban rewilding.
The book includes 350 colour photos, plus maps and diagrams. And text boxes to explore key species and habitats. This is a fascinating deep dive into the biology, ecology and cultural impact of plants that set up home, alongside us.
Contents
- A Brief History of Our Urban Plants
- Urban Botany Today
- Pavements & Walls
- Waste Ground & Derelict Land
- The Grassy Bits
- Street Trees
- The Future of Urban Plants
Trevor Dines is a farmer’s son from Hampshire, who has mapped ever native and naturalised plant in the British Isles. A campaigner for better management of road verges and the creation of wildflower meadows.