During the blitz – World War II bombing of London – the first plant to colonise the bombsites was a tall purple flowered weed called Rose-Bay Willow Herb or the Fireweed, but known locally as London Pride.
The irony of its rapid and perky appearance in the rubble was much enjoyed, and the plant soon became the symbol of London’s resistance to the bombing. It was an excellent symbol, being everything that Londoners were at that time, boldly cheerful, resilient, cocky, undefeated, life-affirming, defiant, courageous, and like all weeds, potent and deep rooted. – Beryl Kingston (London Pride)
