This ingenious and informative new illustrated book reveals the inside stories of more than 50 common and successful weeds, including cultivated 'thugs' which gardeners plant at their peril, and presents its findings as evidence for the prosecution and defence. It then explores the ways in which the weeds are so successful, whether annual, biennial or perennial, and suggests effective ways of removing or controlling them, and for using them wisely. Where important, as with weeds such as Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, it includes your legal obligations as a gardener to stop these most pernicious weeds from spreading. A useful reference section tells you all you need to know about weeding tools, weedkillers, composting weeds and using mulches to stop them spreading, plus specific details on weeds in lawns and ponds and weeds and the law. So whether you're worried by groundsel or ground elder, nettles or knotweed, bamboo or brambles, or would like to encourage dandelions or clovers to grow exactly where you want them, then these are the verdicts you need. AUTHOR: Ruth Binney has been fascinated by the natural world since childhood, and is an experienced gardening writer. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has been involved in countless publications during her career as an editor. She is a best-selling author of numerous books on the countryside, country folklore and mythology, homemaking and cooking, and made frequent broadcasts on BBC radio including Gardeners Question Time. She lives in Yeovil. 100 colour illustrations