Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam - to plant or not to plant? An invasive pest or a pretty flower? Discuss.

Well not quite. I read somewhere a while ago that it should not be grown at all, such as in one's garden. A friend finally dug hers up and disposed of it. When my wife and I visited Monet's garden in Giverny a couple of weeks ago, we saw lots of it there. I actually like the look of it and intend to grow it in my garden but bearing in mind it MAY try to get out of control.

I thought Himalyan Balsam was an absolute pest and teams of people pull it out of river bank as it's so invasive. There was something on the forum not long ago about it as someone had some growing in his garden and didn't know what it was. Paul N above says he saw it in Monet's garden. On the other thread I said I'd seen it in France, but I've since discovered it's Kashmir Balsam or Impatiens Balfourii.The French use it as an old fashioned cottage garden plant. It is smaller and prettier, but it also seeds itself like mad. However, it's quite easy to pull up.

Well, I think it goes in the same category as Russian Vine.  

There are some plants it is just idiotic to encourage.  It will get out of control.

If you want a quick and easy way to fall out with your neighbours grow Himalayan Balsam - it worked for our neighbours 

And if it strays into your neighbours garden, they can take civil action against you apparently.

Thanks for the replies, even the slightly hysterical ones. I will look into Kashmir Balsam as I may have wrongly identified the plants I saw at Giverny.

Busy-Lizzie

I have now Googled Kashmir Balsam and feel sure this is the plant I saw in Giverny. More importantly it is nowhere near as as invasive as the Himalayan. Excellent thanks! Visually the appearance of the Kashmir Balsam is that it has pink and white petals whilst Himalayan Balsam has a single pink colour.