A few of the summer flowers are still to be seen, especially in towns. A pretty little white-and-yellow flower, like a small daisy, grows beside pavements. This is gallant soldier - or, in the same kind of place, one might find its close relative, shaggy soldier. Gallant soldier is a South American flower that arrived in Kew Gardens in 1796, and was once known as Kew weed. The name “gallant soldier” is a joky version of its scientific name, Galinsoga, which in turn is the name of a Spanish botanist. Shaggy soldier is very similar, but noticeably more hairy.

Feverfew is like a larger white daisy. It often grows beside garden walls. It was widely cultivated at one time, and was used to relieve headaches. It was a kind of herbal aspirin. Its name indicates that it was a “febrifuge” - a substance that makes fevers flee.

By country roads, hogweed is still in flower, with its large umbrella-like flowerheads and sturdy leaves. It is used to feed pigs, and a country name for it is pig's parsnip.