Unfortunately, this species is extremely invasive in moist, shaded environments, and is now swiftly spreading through the watercourses of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is known to many people as an attractive plant with a familiar sweet scent, and a reputation for being a good nectar source for bees. It is also a vigorous producer of nectar, which draws pollinators away from native plants, putting their pollination and reproduction in jeopardy. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/ Simply touching them with your finger, dangling the plant stem or even walking past them can cause the pods to pop, launching the seeds meters away in every direction. The problem is that such actions need careful planning, as if the pods are ripe, the slightest touch can cause them to pop, shooting fresh seeds everywhere and keeping the cycle going. . How to Make a Magical Himalayan Balsam Gin • Craft Invaders Foliage The foliage is opposite or whorled. PDF. In the early 19th century, they were brought to the British Isles to be planted in gardens, and before long they escaped into the wild, where they continue to cause a number of serious problems. Appearance Impatiens glandulifera is a succulent annual than can be 3-10 ft. (0.9-3 m) tall. Himalayan balsam is an annual, however, and it dies back in the winter, leaving bare spaces that would normally be inhabited by native grasses. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Herbicides also work but only as a last resort. • Himalayan balsam is an annual plant with bright purple-pink flowers. The Himalayan Balsam was introduced in the UK in 1839 as a greenhouse and garden plant, but it only took a few decades for it to escape into the wild. Because it is so tall, it will often shade out shorter native plants. To fight Himalayan balsam, plants must be chopped down, or pulled up as they come into flower in June or July. It was introduced to Kew Gardens in 1839 and is thought to have mainly been spread by people passing seeds to each other. Like other balsam flowers, the plant reproduces by seed, and it will put out up to 800 of them every year. This plant is the least harmful of our three main invasive species. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! This cordial is perfect for introducing nettles to the family as a food stuff, another great example is our easy stinging nettle crisps. and protect other plant life. Himalayan Balsam regrows annually from the seeds which are viable for 2 years therefore any control efforts must be carried out before the seed pods are produced for maximum effect. Traditional control methods are currently inadequate in controlling Himalayan balsam in the UK. 3 MB. Between June and October it produces clusters of purplish pink (or rarely white) helmet-shaped flowers. Since it was introduced, it has spread to most parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The explosion of the Himalayan balsam’s fruit capsule can fire seeds up to seven metres. It is locally c… • It was introduced as an ornamental plant in the early nineteenth century. Himalayan Balsam is an annual plant and produces colourful flowers. The most effective method of controlling Himalayan balsam is cutting and hand pulling. Himalayan balsam is native to the Himalayas, specifically to the areas between Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Himalayan balsam: controlling it on your land, file type: PDF, file size: 3 MB . It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. //-->. This leaves the river banks vulnerable to serious erosion. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a distance of up to 7m. It escaped into the wild and is now recorded throughout the UK, particularly along the banks of watercourses. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. Related. However, it does have some redeeming features and whilst I can understand the reasons for it being much despised I feel somebody has to speak up in support of this controversial but defenceless and, even though invidious of me to say it, invaluable plant! Himalayan balsam is an attractive, non-native invasive terrestrial plant species. There was a time when the plant was marketed as a novelty attraction for children, under the name ” Mr. Noisy’s Exploding Plant”, and despite its now known invasive tendencies people still love popping those pods every chance they get. Land managers often give up when faced with controlling Himalayan balsam over a large area due to… Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, in wet woodlands and in ditches and damp meadows. Often nicknamed the Police Helmet plant, Himalayan Balsam can grow up between 1 … Himalayan Balsam is, as the name suggests, native to India, more specifically to the Himalayas. Written by. Himalayan Balsam - Free food. It is also commonly referred to as Indian Balsam. Granted, it’s an oddly satisfying experience. The main issue with this plant is that it’s very aggressive, muscling out native plants until it’s the only one left. Himalayan Balsam is a common weed familiar to everybody. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches.