Nursery World - Outdoors: The plants in my street

Dandelions are versatile ‘weeds’ – they are edible, make great loose parts and provide a host of opportunities for fun, says Julie Mountain

plant of the month: dandelion

Dandelions have two very recognisable versions: the golden-yellow, toothed, circular flower early in the season and the magical spherical seed head as summer moves into autumn. In between, the flower head closes up, with the seeds packed tightly inside protective green ‘bracts’, which look like petals themselves.

fact file

Dandelions’ name comes from the Norman French for ‘lion's teeth’ – dent de lion – due to the jagged nature of their leaf profile. They grow all over Europe and beyond.

Many parts of dandelions are edible – but if anyone has a latex allergy, they shouldn’t handle the plant.

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