Photo taken in 1948 by David Sweetland’s father

Dear Readers, my call for any information about Rosebay Willowherb during the Second World War has produced this wonderful  photo, taken in 1948, from my friend and fellow blogger David Sweetland. Here’s what he says about it:

‘Attached is a photo my father took in 1948 to the north east of St. Paul’s looking across the area that is now the Barbican. A good view of Rosebay Willowherb in the foreground. Did not know the name of the plant until I read your post today.

I remember him telling me that this (along with many other plants) very quickly spread over all the bombed land across the City. The bombed and burnt buildings were quickly cleared leaving large areas with low walls and open cellars and the plants quickly colonised these.’

David’s blog A London Inheritance is both a celebration of the London captured in his father’s photographs, and a fascinating exploration of how it is today. I heartily recommend it.