Control of invasive non-native species - Himalayan balsam. By Kennyg. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. It was introduced to the UK in 1839 and is now a … 1.5 Failure to manage and dispose of this species in accordance with current guidelines and legislation can lead to prosecution. I’d appreciate any advice on how to get rid of Himalayan Balsam in the back garden of a house we recently bought. The plant has an explosive mechanism by which ripe seeds are hurled from the plant, to enlarge the colony or be carried away by water to fresh ground - the seeds may be thrown as far as 2m away. This is best achieved by: • Production of a detailed Himalayan balsam management plan. However it may be easier to leave them until the end of June, start of July, when the plants have flowered, as they will be easier to spot. • It is listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – it is an offence to plant or cause this species to ... disposal or putting them in the recycling bin in case there is contamination by seeds. Joining during the last few weeks of any possible Himalayan Balsam removal, I was shown the extent of the problem at some of our sites and how to correctly dispose of them – the job itself was incredibly satisfying but sometimes getting to these “forests” of Balsam was trickier than first thought. By mid-summer the HB is over 6'. Correct identification is important so you can control the plants in the most effective way. If you’re getting rid of Himalayan balsam plants by hand, let the cut plants lie on the ground in the sun for a few days to dry out and die before composting them. They are being left strewn on roadsides, paths and pavements, and they become a hazard for walkers, especially when wet, as they get mashed into slime as people walk across them. Do not dispose of invasive plants in the compost pile – discard them in the regular garbage. The Big Pull is a community conservation project which aims to tackle the rapid spread of Himalayan balsam along our river banks and open spaces. Himalayan balsam Appearance. Dispose of at refuse transfer station. Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, rhododendron, giant hogweed and American skunk cabbage can erode riverbanks and overshadow native plants, reducing the availability of food and habitats for native animal species. Dispose of Himalayan Balsam plants in the garbage. How to identify, control and dispose of Himalayan balsam. Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by … Himalayan balsam; Menu. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. The explosion of the Himalayan balsam’s fruit capsule can fire seeds up to seven metres. You will need to check for regrowth regularly. It prefers moist soils but will grow pretty much anywhere. Rural Priorities. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. This weed competes with plants, native to the UK, for light, nutrients, pollinators and space. Himalayan balsam (Inpatiens glandulifera) is a large annually growing plant that is native to the Himalayan mountains.Due to human introduction, it has now spread across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Non-essential cookies are also used to … Visit nonnativespecies.org for help identifying plants . RSC Group are able to treat or remove the Himalayan Balsam and dispose of it environmentally in approved sites. Himalayan balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. The flowers are followed by seed pods that open explosively when ripe. • Himalayan balsam is an annual plant with bright purple-pink flowers. Reproduces by seed so spread is managed by controlling seed production/bank. Himalayas (Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, India) What does it look like? It grows mostly on river banks and in damp woodlands. It is called an annual herb, and while native to . Japanese Knotweed Ltd are experienced contractors in the surveying and remediation of invasive non-native plant species, including Himalayan balsam. Himalayan balsam is the tallest annual plant in Europe; each stem can be 2.5 metres tall. However it may be easier to leave them until the end of June, start of July, when the plants have flowered, as they will be easier to spot. South Gloucestershire Council’s Wild4Life project and the Avon Invasive Weeds project work together to organise events each summer. Himalayan balsam; Rhododendron ponticum; New Zealand pigmyweed (this is banned from sale) How to identify, control and dispose of plants that can harm people, livestock and the environment. Populations 1. How to identify, control and dispose of Himalayan balsam. It is important to make sure that when disposing of Himalayan balsam, the waste disposal site has a permit to accept and dispose of invasive species. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Kent, United Kingdom . Himalayan balsam is often found on river banks and waste land it … The best time is early to mid-summer, before the seeds have matured. The flower has five petals, one of which forms a hood over the flower. It is commonly found in areas of damp soil such as river banks and nearby woodlands. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. We are asking local landowners and other inter-ested parties to help us in this task. A single plant can produce 2500 seeds which are brown, turning black as they mature. 31 and 32). Himalayan balsam plants can produce around 2500 seeds each year. For alternative planting options to Himalayan balsam download the ISCBC's Grow Me Instead brochure (pg. Introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, found especially on riverbanks and in waste places where it has become a problem weed. Workshops take place on the following dates: Monday 21 May from 6pm to 8pm at the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve in Bradley Stoke. Your email address will not be published. Typical locations: along waterways, on derelict land, along verges and in parks. It can only be disposed of as controlled waste as defined by the council Environmental Health Services. The flowers are followed by seed pods that open explosively when ripe. All of Wales is at alert level 4. As Himalayan Balsam dies back during the fall months river and stream banks are left exposed. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. They mature grow Me Instead brochure ( pg end of summer you agree to our use of.. The plants die back, leaving the ground bare of vegetation, and while native to the,! Get rid of Himalayan balsam plants are large annual plants that can reach to. To help us in this task was first identified in Ottawa in.! 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