Latest news with #RobertQuinton
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among other plants that can 'rapidly spread' in your garden. It may look pretty with bright pink flowers, which at first look wouldn't ring any alarm bells, however, it can lead to costly repairs if it takes over. Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? It's not an offence to have Himalayan balsam already growing in your garden, but it is an offence to plant it or to cause it to grow in the wild, BBC Gardeners World advises. It is also banned from sale in the UK. Each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again. The plant has spikes of showy pink or purple flowers, and fines can go up to £2,500. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials says that the species can damage any local biodiversity. He explained: 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas. 'Allowing it to encroach on your neighbour's garden could even result in legal consequences and fines, so it's important to control its growth.' Does Himalayan balsam affect a mortgage? In some cases, if the plant has taken over an area, then it could affect how much your property could fetch if put on the market. Some mortgage lenders may even be reluctant to lend. How to remove Himalayan balsam Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. 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. Recommended reading: "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.' The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839.
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among other plants that can 'rapidly spread' in your garden. It may look pretty with bright pink flowers, which at first look wouldn't ring any alarm bells, however, it can lead to costly repairs if it takes over. It's not an offence to have Himalayan balsam already growing in your garden, but it is an offence to plant it or to cause it to grow in the wild, BBC Gardeners World advises. It is also banned from sale in the UK. Each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again. The plant has spikes of showy pink or purple flowers, and fines can go up to £2,500. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials says that the species can damage any local biodiversity. He explained: 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas. 'Allowing it to encroach on your neighbour's garden could even result in legal consequences and fines, so it's important to control its growth.' In some cases, if the plant has taken over an area, then it could affect how much your property could fetch if put on the market. Some mortgage lenders may even be reluctant to lend. Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. 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. Recommended reading: What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners 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 "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.' The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839.
Powys County Times
21-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
The growth of an ornate but 'highly invasive' plant should be controlled in your garden before you're hit with a fine, experts have warned. Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among other plants that can 'rapidly spread' in your garden. It may look pretty with bright pink flowers, which at first look wouldn't ring any alarm bells, however, it can lead to costly repairs if it takes over. Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? It's not an offence to have Himalayan balsam already growing in your garden, but it is an offence to plant it or to cause it to grow in the wild, BBC Gardeners World advises. It is also banned from sale in the UK. Each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again. The plant has spikes of showy pink or purple flowers, and fines can go up to £2,500. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials says that the species can damage any local biodiversity. He explained: 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas. 'Allowing it to encroach on your neighbour's garden could even result in legal consequences and fines, so it's important to control its growth.' Does Himalayan balsam affect a mortgage? In some cases, if the plant has taken over an area, then it could affect how much your property could fetch if put on the market. Some mortgage lenders may even be reluctant to lend. How to remove Himalayan balsam Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. 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.' The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November.
South Wales Argus
17-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
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. What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? 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. Himalayan balsam flowers 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." Should you remove Himalayan balsam? 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. How to remove Himalayan balsam Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. Recommended reading: 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.'
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.'
