Control of Himalayan Balsam should ideally happen when the plants have grown to a good height, but have not yet flowered. Himalayan Balsam Removal Specialists. Key Identification Features Flowers Large pinkish flowers from June to August. Contact. Plants have a poor root structure so it is relatively easy to remove. HIMALAYAN BALSAM CONTROL, REMOVAL AND ERADICATION What is Himalayan Balsam? Call +353 (0)86 250 8805. It is possible to successfully control or eradicate Himalayan balsam from infested sites. Leaf: Finely serrated slender to elliptical leaves, often with a reddish mid-rib. Originally introduced to the UK in the 1830's, gardeners found the brightly coloured purple/pink flowers of Himalayan Balsam an attractive addition to the garden. It spreads quickly due to seed dispersal by the wind. Himalayan Balsam Treatment & Removal. If successful, this might reduce the need for Himalayan balsam removal in the future. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. Email: info@gaiauk.com. Himalayan Balsam is an annual herb, native to the Himalayan region of Asia. Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed Management Buying or selling a house? Leaves are stalked, oblong to egg-shaped and have a serrated edge. Beautiful flowers that are loved by the bees, a heady scent, lush foliage; what’s not to like about Himalayan balsam? EC Regulated Plants. The Knotweed Killers. Due to the habitat preference of Himalayan balsam, access for removal is often problematic, which limits control options to ensure health and safety precautions are met. Each plant can produce up to 800 seeds per year. Introduced to Britain in 1839, it escaped from gardens and rapidly colonised river banks and areas of damp ground. When this is combined with the fact that each plant can produce upwards of 800 seeds and these can travel a considerable distance, it’s easy to see how it spreads so rapidly. The species is particularly frequent along the banks of watercourses, where it often forms continuous stands. Himalayan balsam removal. It is a major weed problem, especially on river banks and wasteland. Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off other plants. With an aggressive seed distribution method featuring a seed pod that explodes when disturbed. It spreads through local seed dispersal. Himalayan Balsam grows rapidly and spreads quickly throughout your garden. The herbicide used depends largely on the local environment and the timescale required removing the weed. Andy added: “To reduce the amount of balsam appearing it’s important to pull or cut it several times a year before it produces any seed. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) is a relative of the “busy lizzy” but reaches well over head height and is a major weed problem.It is native to the western Himalayas and in the early 1800’s was introduced to many parts of Europe as a garden ornamental, it has since become an invasive plant as it grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes. It is sometimes seen in gardens, either uninvited or grown deliberately, but care must be taken to ensure that it does not escape into the wild. This video is unavailable. However, given their common habitat near waterways, the seeds are also spread by water especially when land … Identification of Himalayan Balsam is very important, as it is advised that if you note the presence of it in your garden, you should take steps to remove it from the site. You need a Knotweed Management Plan Did you know it’s illegal to plant or encourage Japanese Knotweed? Himalayan Balsam often develops close to water, making it particularly difficult to remove without the help of suitable herbicides. Himalayan Balsam can grow to a great height and it can reach 10ft with ease. At Kustom Landscapes & Ecology, we specialise in Himalayan Balsam control and removal in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Bristol & Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Devon, along with a range of other invasive plants.. Himalayan Balsam as its name suggests natural origins are from the regions of the Himalayan Mountains in Asia. List of Options. Offering Himalayan Balsam removal and invasive weed management Impatiens glandulifera. Watch Queue Queue. Himalayan balsam is easily identifiable with its whorled leaves (usually in threes). Home; Japanese Knotweed; Giant Hogweed; Himalayan Balsam ; Bamboo; Contact; Specialist Japanese Knotweed Removal Services in London, Surrey & the South East. If control is going to be undertaken in situ, the plants must be prevented from producing seeds until the seed bank is exhausted. Each plant can produce as much as 800 seeds and therefore removal should be undertaken in the winter months when the plant is in a dormant state. Watch Queue Queue However, despite the plant being valued for these reasons, Himalayan Balsam is actually one of the most problematic weed plants that we have in the UK. Eradication may be possible in two to three years unless your site is being colonised by seeds from further upstream. 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. Get in touch today! SITE DESCRIPTION 1.9 The Penketh Court site is located off Widnes Road, Warrington. Control of invasive non-native species. How to spot Himalayan Balsam. Any plant that out-competes more desirable plants is classed as a weed and requires control. Himalayan balsam is a non-native invasive terrestrial plant species. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. A relative of the ‘Busy Lizzie’, Himalayan Balsam reaches well over head height and smothers native vegetation. This video is unavailable. Himalayan balsam is a tall growing annual, 2-3m (6-10ft) in height. However, while removal of Himalayan balsam increases plant diversity, the species Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) Species Identification Height: A tall, annual herb growing up to 2.5m Stem : Hollow brittle stems which are light green/ red early in the year, turning pink/red in summer. A fascinating characteristic of Himalayan Balsam is their exploding seed pods that will explode at the slightest touch, dispensing hundreds of seeds in all directions. Himalayan Balsam can spread like wildfire and outgrow all other species in its surroundings. Himalayan balsam; Menu. Environment Agency (EA) - The EA is under no obligation to remove Himalayan Balsam. remove himalayan balsam seed pods; collect the seeds in bags; dispose of them at a later date; It is just a simple process of being very careful with the plant and trying to pull it over and taking the seed heads off. However, due to its invasive nature - the plant spreads rapidly, taking over the native habitat and killing off other native plants - it has become a problem in the UK. Like other balsam flowers, the plant reproduces by seed, and it will put out up to 800 of them every year.These seeds can travel a short distance through the air or miles and miles if they get caught up in a river or stream. Himalayan Balsam can very quickly be identified through the cluster of purple/pink, helmet-shaped flowers it produces. Knotweed Removal, Call 085-808-9016. Himalayan balsam and urges all organisations to be vigilant and implement appropriate control measures to prevent its spread. Seeds are dispersed by exploding seedpods which can scatter seeds approximately 7m from the plant. There are two main methods of Himalayan balsam removal. The seeds can spread many metres from the plant. Conservation authorities sometimes partake in “Balsam bashing” parties, but these must be undertaken with extreme caution, as studies have shown that this can actually help the plant to spread. 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. Gaia Environmental provide specialist knotweed removal services across Surrey, London and the South East. It is the tallest annual plant in the British Isles, growing up to 3m high. Individual plants reach 2m in height, have translucent fleshy stems, pink-purple slipper-shaped flowers and large oval pointed leaves. Watch Queue Queue Spraying – Using herbicides is an extremely effective method to control Himalayan balsam. Japanese Knotweed Ltd are experienced contractors in the surveying and remediation of invasive non-native plant species, including Himalayan balsam. 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. Invasive weed control and removal in Northern Ireland Specialists in the removal and treatment of Japanese Knotweed Blog. Farming, Forestry and Rural Issues. If a site has been flattened and left for a short period of time, Himalayan Balsam quickly sprouts in the vegetation and duplicates quickly, covering the site. It’s important to time your Himalayan balsam control so you don’t inadvertently spread more seeds. A relative of the Busy Lizzie, it is commonly found on riverbanks and wasteland. , as part of a control programme continuous stands DESCRIPTION 1.9 the Penketh Court site is being colonised seeds... 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