Gardening: Graham Porter on Himalyan Balsam

Jun 6 2009 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Although I normally concentrate on cultivated plants in this piece, I felt that I should highlight the increasing problem of the imported Himalayan Balsam, Impatiens glandulifera.

This annual thug from the Himalayas, introduced into Britain in 1839, is now taking over vast tracts of land along river banks and damp ground all over Britain, including several vast swathes near me in Netherton.

The plant is the tallest growing annual in Britain, reaching up to 3 metres (10’). It grows in dense clumps that block out light and air from other plants, leaving river banks bare and prone to erosion in autumn and winter when the plant dies away, leaving thousands of fresh seeds for the following year.

Although the use of Glyphosate based herbicides is ok in springtime when the plant is growing rapidly, the best method of control is to pull, cut, strim or mow it down to the ground in late spring before it starts to flower. This is particularly important near any watercourse, as the use of chemicals near water is often extremely dangerous to any wildlife in the water. By using this physical technique the soil will be rid of any viable seeds within two to three years.

So if you see a policeman’s helmet, jumping jack or Himalayan Balsam in your area, get some neighbours out to help and start balsam bashing – you will not be breaking any laws providing that you are not trespassing – as the plant is not a British native and can be removed without fear of a Policeman’s helmet coming knocking at your door!!

Visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk and www.rhs.org.uk/advice for more details on this invader.