When will our relentless war against the dandelion end? At this time of year fields, gardens, verges and public spaces should be shining with what Shakespeare called his “Golden lads and girls”. Often, though, just the sight of a single one of these mini sunflowers makes people reach for lawnmower, flame-throwing “weed wand” or toxic weedkiller. Destroying dandelions starves not only bees, butterflies and hoverflies but also the goldfinches and sparrows that feed on dandelion seeds. The #NoMowMay campaign is asking us to lock away our garden and municipal mowers this month and invite dandelions back into our lives — all 250 species of them.

Jonathan Tulloch The Times 12-5-21