Volunteers want help to stop takeover of invasive Himalayan Balsam
The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November and was initially introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant.However, it now considered a problematic weed as it crowds out native species and causes soil erosion along water courses. Mr Micklethwaite said while hundreds of volunteers from different groups got together to tackle the plant at designated events in nature reserves, everyone could do their bit within their local community. He said: "If you have a local spot, or even just your garden where its encroaching, it's better to keep it out of places where it isn't, as opposed to going into areas where it is, which can feel a lot more futile.""Especially if you can plant up afterwards with native plants."
Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds in order to be removed effectively.Roy Anderton ,90, from Hindley, Greater Manchester, said he tries to cut the plant back when he comes across it while walking his dog in the nearby Low Hall Nature Reserve. He said: "When the flowers are dying back, I cut the plant off below the node [where new stems and leaves grow]. "If you don't do that, it branches out again."
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