Latest news with #Himalayanbalsam
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners
Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among the most invasive plants that could lead to costly repairs if it takes over your home and garden. Even a wildlife charity has launched an appeal for volunteers to help clear the plant from growing up north. The Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust's "Balsam Busters" group works to remove Himalayan Balsam during the summer, the BBC reports. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839. However, it is now considered a weed since it crowds out native species and causes soil erosion along water courses. The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials explained more. 'You can spot Himalayan balsam from its pink flowers, but it's a highly invasive species that can damage any local biodiversity,' Mr Quinton said. 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas." The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that if you find Himalayan balsam is already growing in your garden, you should 'control or remove it'. The plant is now considered a 'problematic weed', particularly along watercourses. Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. Recommended reading: Japanese Knotweed in 'super growth' across UK expert warns When does Japanese Knotweed flower in the UK and what to do if you find some These are the 9 illegal plants that could land you with a £30,000 fine Mr Quinton continued: 'The most effective way to tackle Himalayan balsam is by hand-pulling or cutting it back, ideally before it starts to flower. 'When pulling it up, make sure to remove the whole plant, roots and all, to stop it from growing back. "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.'
Scotsman
06-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Start of growth season sparks call for Scottish gardeners to act now on invasive plants
With spring in full swing, invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan balsam are beginning to grow – prompting a call for action to gardeners in Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Experts at national trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) are advising gardeners to assess beds and borders, waterside and wild areas in a bid to ensure early identification. Japanese Knotweed can be a particular problem in urban areas, while Himalayan balsam can quickly infest wasteland and the banks of rivers, streams and canals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Daniel Docking, Technical Manager at the PCA said: 'We're at the start of the active season for invasive plant species, so it's the ideal time to identify any affected areas and put biosecurity or remediation plans in place. Himalayan balsam 'These plants are quick to shoot up and block sunlight from reaching anything underneath, creating a canopy that stops native plants from getting a look in. 'Catching them early helps prevent spread - especially through contaminated soil, footwear or equipment - ensuring treatments are effective and under control from the start.' Japanese Knotweed, introduced in the 19th century, can cause problems as its root system expands, especially when growing near built structures. The plant can push up through asphalt surfaces such as car parks and driveways, while its rhizomes (a below ground stem which spreads the root network) can interfere with underground infrastructure such as drainage pipes, cabling and water pipes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Himalayan balsam favours moist, semi-shaded areas near slow-moving watercourses and wasteland where it will outcompete native plants. It can impact waterways by leaving riverbanks exposed to erosion following winter dieback or increase summer flooding due to constricted water flow. It spreads through self-setting seeds, but uprooted or cut plants can re-root or re-sprout from nodes on the stem. Daniel Docking, Technical Manager at the PCA Sarah Garry, Chief Executive of the PCA, said: 'PCA members who specialise in invasive weeds can play a crucial role in identifying emerging Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan balsam, as well as working with gardeners to put a plan for eradication and remediation in place. 'UK laws impose responsibilities on landowners to manage 'listed' (Schedule 9) species on their property. 'We'd advise anyone with concerns about invasive plant species in their garden to visit our website for further information and to find a PCA member who will have the training, knowledge and experience to help tackle these issues.'
Scotsman
06-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Start of growth season sparks call for Edinburgh gardeners to act now on invasive plants
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now With spring in full swing, invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan balsam are beginning to grow – prompting a call for action to gardeners in Edinburgh. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Experts at national trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) are advising gardeners to assess beds and borders, waterside and wild areas in a bid to ensure early identification. Japanese Knotweed can be a particular problem in urban areas, while Himalayan balsam can quickly infest wasteland and the banks of rivers, streams and canals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Daniel Docking, Technical Manager at the PCA said: 'We're at the start of the active season for invasive plant species, so it's the ideal time to identify any affected areas and put biosecurity or remediation plans in place. Himalayan balsam 'These plants are quick to shoot up and block sunlight from reaching anything underneath, creating a canopy that stops native plants from getting a look in. 'Catching them early helps prevent spread - especially through contaminated soil, footwear or equipment - ensuring treatments are effective and under control from the start.' Japanese Knotweed, introduced in the 19th century, can cause problems as its root system expands, especially when growing near built structures. The plant can push up through asphalt surfaces such as car parks and driveways, while its rhizomes (a below ground stem which spreads the root network) can interfere with underground infrastructure such as drainage pipes, cabling and water pipes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Himalayan balsam favours moist, semi-shaded areas near slow-moving watercourses and wasteland where it will outcompete native plants. It can impact waterways by leaving riverbanks exposed to erosion following winter dieback or increase summer flooding due to constricted water flow. It spreads through self-setting seeds, but uprooted or cut plants can re-root or re-sprout from nodes on the stem. Daniel Docking, Technical Manager at the PCA Sarah Garry, Chief Executive of the PCA, said: 'PCA members who specialise in invasive weeds can play a crucial role in identifying emerging Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan balsam, as well as working with gardeners to put a plan for eradication and remediation in place. 'UK laws impose responsibilities on landowners to manage 'listed' (Schedule 9) species on their property. 'We'd advise anyone with concerns about invasive plant species in their garden to visit our website for further information and to find a PCA member who will have the training, knowledge and experience to help tackle these issues.' PCA has a specific guidance note for gardeners, which can be found at:
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Warning to homeowners with this type of tree in their garden
Some weeds and invasive grasses can also become highly flammable in hot, dry conditions as gardeners are told to keep a close eye on their outdoor spaces The country is set for a mini heatwave next week and while that is something to look forward to, it can also bring about issues in our gardens. And experts have warned homeowners to keep a close eye on their outdoor spaces as there will be an increased risk of fires. With temperatures expected to rise from tomorrow (Thursday April 24) and a bumper spell of sunshine and warm weather expected to last weeks, a warning has been issued to gardeners that some invasive grasses and weeds can become flammable in hot, dry conditions. It's worth keeping a close eye on the species in your garden and following a few warm weather rules to prevent any fires, said experts at Environment Controls. And they said that those with Eucalyptus trees in their gardens should pay close attention to them as they are particularly prone to drying out and posing a fire risk. Darren Greatbatch, specialist advisory manager said that other invasive plants such as Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Rhododendron and Himalayan balsam become dry and brittle as their flowering season ends, and can also become a fire risk as the temperatures creep up. He said: 'These plants might look harmless, but when the heat hits, they can become a serious fire risk. "They dry out fast, especially if they've been left untreated and the stalks can ignite easily, especially if they are near fences, decking or sheds." And it's not just the fire risk, plants like Giant hogweed release toxic sap that causes skin burns, making this plant one to avoid whether in the garden or out in the countryside. The good news is that you don't need to overhaul your entire garden. There are a few easy steps you can take as the mercury rises to help keep your garden cooler and reduce the risk of invasive weeds drying out and becoming a hazard. Here are five simple garden hacks to reduce the risk of fires during the heatwave: Water early in the day Soak your garden in the early morning to lock in moisture. Midday watering is mostly wasted as it just evaporates. Add mulch A layer of bark or compost helps trap moisture in the soil and keeps roots cool. It also slows weed growth. Create shade Use garden furniture or parasols to block the sun from dry areas and overgrowth. Don't pile up garden waste Dried dead plants can quickly catch fire in the heat so it's best to get these removed rather than leaving piles of garden waste around. Certain invasive plants need to be removed by a specialist contractor – if in doubt don't bin it, ditch it or compost it – get professional advice. Tackle problem plants now If you've got invasive species, don't wait. A quick survey and treatment now could prevent a fire or a costly repair job later on.
