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What is this?
Myosotis23
Posts: 69
in Plants
Any idea what this is I saw it on my walk today, the bees love it, would it be ok to plant in my garden?
In a world where you can be anything, always be kind.
0
Posts
No! Himalayan Balsam
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=480
That's Himalayan balsam, seeds like mad.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Alien invader - destroy!
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I will admire it on my walk & keep it out of my garden. Thank you for your replies
It is not native and it crowds out native plants.
It's notifiable! If you get it in your garden it could prove impossible to sell your house.
To clarify:
Himalayan Balsam is not 'notifiable' and is classified as a 'naturalised non-native plant' but invasive.
The legal position is found here https://www.gov.uk/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants
In summary it says:
Prevent the spread of invasive, non-native plants
You must not plant in the wild or cause certain invasive and non-native plants to grow in the wild. This can include moving contaminated soil or plant cuttings. If you do, you can be fined or sent to prison for up to 2 years.
The most commonly found invasive, non-native plants include:
You’re not legally obliged to remove these plants or to control them. However, if you allow Japanese knotweed to grow onto other people’s property you could be prosecuted for causing a private nuisance."
Himalayan balsam is an annual and whilst it is certainly causing real problems on riverbanks it is not going to prevent you from selling your house. I think Iced Herb is getting it confused with Japanese Knotweed.
Hope that helps
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks for the clarification, Dovefromabove. I was repeating what I'd heard on a house buying programme some time ago. I know the plant is invasive, also that it's a problem by the River Severn in Worcester. Aware of this stuff just now as moving house soon.
Good luck with the house move
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks, had my offer accepted only yesterday, so some way to go yet. A new garden! Yay!