Image taken from Dagbo’s Flickr photostream.

Temperatures are predicted to rise at the weekend. If you want to combine sunshine with science, you could sit under a tree with a copy of Nature. Alternatively, take advantage of Open Garden Squares weekend, which includes a number of scientific venues.

This annual event sees 160 of London’s gardens opened to the public. This includes major squares such as Bedford and Dorset, as well as ‘secret’ gardens like Kensington Roof Gardens. Several hold scientific interest.

Royal College of Physicians’ Medicinal Garden. Nestling near the south-east corner of regents Park, this series of eight small gardens contains nearly 1000 medicinal plants, plus ‘quincunx parterres containing plants from Pharmacopeia Londiniensis of 1618’. I’ll be going along if only to find out what quincunx parterres are.

Park Crescent and Square. Not scientific per se, but these normally off-limits areas are surrounded by important organisations such as the MRC and Institute of Physics.

South London Botanical Institute. Another medicinal garden, this time down in Tulse Hill. A collection of Tudor medicinal plants grows alongside sources of modern pharmaceuticals. And feed introduce the kids to the carnivorous plants.

Chelsea Physic Garden. We’ve been here before. London’s premier destination for medical botany.

NHM Wildlife Garden. The Natural History Museum’s ‘living exhibition’ contains over 2000 British plants and animals. See if you can spot them all. Scientists will be on hand to discuss the various fauna and flora.

Camley Street Natural Park. Learn about conservation at this unexpected island of green in the railway lands behind Kings Cross. Talks, pond-dipping and other activities for children. Pop along on a week day lunchtime to see Nature employees eating their sandwiches.

The complete list can be viewed here.

Open Garden Squares, 9th and 10th June. Tickets cost £6 in advance, or £7.50 on the day. Price includes extensive guidebook and wine tasting (courtesy of sponsors Loire Valley Wines) at participating gardens.