Wonderful WEEDS

From healing wounds to boosting bone health, many of these plants have amazing hidden powers

- JANE KEMP

The tide is turning on the way we think of weeds. As well as supporting our pollinators, they provide remedies for a variety of ailments, and can add new textures and flavours to cooking. Here are some of the UK's top super-weeds, and why they deserve a place, however modest, in your garden.

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium

The feathery leaves and multiple flower heads of yarrow have been used for centuries to heal wounds and stop bleeding. A muscle relaxant and mild sedative, yarrow is said to relieve menstrual cramps, and contains flavonoids that make it useful for treating digestive problems.

DID YOU KNOW? 'Achillea' derives from Achilles, the warrior of Greek myth, said to have used the plant's leaves to treat injured soldiers.

Stinging nettles
Urtica dioica