What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Appeal launched to repair historic North Wales pier
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An appeal has been launched to repair a historic North Wales pier. The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are aiming to raise £40,000 to complete essential work on the substructure of the pier to make it safe "and protect it for generations to come". Bangor Garth Pier is one of only 3 Grade II* listed piers in the whole of the UK and is of architectural and historical significance as a Victorian gem. It has been beloved by locals and visitors alike for a walk to enjoy the Menai Strait since 1896, FBGP say. Since 2017 Bangor City Council, who own the pier, has spent £2.2 million on the urgent repairs. The unseen substructure beneath the planks is the challenge, it has deteriorated since the 1980s when the last significant renovations took place. Without the work it risks further deterioration on the two sections yet to be completed, they said. Due to rising costs and inflation, the FBGP, in partnership with Bangor City Council, are asking for support to finish the final two phases of the work to future proof the pier. The £40,000 from the appeal will be matched with funding from Bangor City Council. It will complete the work to make the pier safe and enable it to weather future storms. The work will be completed by November this year, weather permitting. With the support of the public and local businesses FBGP are hoping that this incredible structure stands strong for another century for future generations to walk along, fish, paint, propose and dream over the water. All donations, whether large or small, go directly towards the structural preservation of the pier. All funds will be managed by FBGP a registered charity and will solely be used for repair work. If they exceed their target, surplus funds will go towards future projects including the sandblasting and painting of the pier substructure. Donations can be made online at GoFundMe, or via the FBGP website or in person at the Entrance Kiosk or FBGP kiosk shop on the pier. Avril Wayte FBGP Chair said: "Following our launch as a charity in 2022, Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are very excited to be working now in collaboration with Bangor City Council to raise funds to protect our beautiful pier for the future. "Although £2.2 million has already been spent on structural repairs to the pier since 2017, 2 sections of the pier still need to be repaired, to keep the pier safe. "Please help us raise this money by supporting our fundraising campaign – your pier needs you – be part of our pier's future. "Let's protect the pier together. It is a national treasure, a community gem, and a living connection to our past. Bangor City Council Director Martin Hanks said: "Bangor City Council are extremely grateful to the Friends to Garth Pier for organising this initiative to match fund the final phases of the structural renovations of Garth Pier. If successful it will allow us to move to complete the Pier structural renovations much sooner. "To date the City Council has over £2m on the project, which is now some 80% completed. Once the final two phases have been finished, structurally the Pier's future will be secured for another 15-20 years. "Bangor Pier is one of the major attractions of the City and, mainly thanks to the volunteers of the Friends of Garth Pier, a thriving community has developed here. "The completion of the structural renovations will ensure that Bangor Pier is a healthy and enjoyable place to visit for many years to come." Bangor Aberconwy MP Claire Hughes said: "The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier have done an amazing job mobilising the community to support this much-loved, Grade II* listed structure at the heart of the City of Bangor. Please help secure it for future generations to enjoy, and give generously." FBGP Patron Aled Jones said: "As a Patron of the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier I fully support their appeal to raise £40,000 ensuring a sustainable future for this iconic heritage structure in the City of Bangor. "The pier is very close to my heart as I was born in Bangor and grew up locally, singing in Bangor Cathedral. The 2025 appeal means this unique and special place will be enjoyed for generations to come. "Even if you can only give a little, it will make a big difference to this wonderful cause." BGP Patron Revd Wynne Roberts the Welsh Elvis, said: "As a child I went to the pier with my parents to go crabbing, as a student, to sit by the closed gates to eat my lunch, gazing at what was a derelict pier. Now our pier has become a shining gem within the crown of our city, stretching out not only into the Menai Straits, but into the hearts of so many people. This has happened due to the hard work of our Board of Trustees, volunteers, stallholders and Bangor City Council and its officers. "One important way in which you can be a part of this, is by supporting our new appeal, so that we can ensure that our pier continues to shine for generations to come. The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are a community group and a registered charity established in March 2022 to work with Bangor City Council, the owners of the pier, to secure a sustainable future for the pier. They have over 60 volunteers who man the entrance kiosk 365 days a year to provide a warm welcome to visitors and who work in the FBGP kiosk gift shop, which supports local artists and where all profits go towards supporting the future of the pier. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Appeal launched to repair historic North Wales pier
An appeal has been launched to repair a historic North Wales pier. The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are aiming to raise £40,000 to complete essential work on the substructure of the pier to make it safe "and protect it for generations to come". Bangor Garth Pier is one of only 3 Grade II* listed piers in the whole of the UK and is of architectural and historical significance as a Victorian gem. It has been beloved by locals and visitors alike for a walk to enjoy the Menai Strait since 1896, FBGP say. Since 2017 Bangor City Council, who own the pier, has spent £2.2 million on the urgent repairs. The unseen substructure beneath the planks is the challenge, it has deteriorated since the 1980s when the last significant renovations took place. Without the work it risks further deterioration on the two sections yet to be completed, they said. Due to rising costs and inflation, the FBGP, in partnership with Bangor City Council, are asking for support to finish the final two phases of the work to future proof the pier. The £40,000 from the appeal will be matched with funding from Bangor City Council. It will complete the work to make the pier safe and enable it to weather future storms. The work will be completed by November this year, weather permitting. With the support of the public and local businesses FBGP are hoping that this incredible structure stands strong for another century for future generations to walk along, fish, paint, propose and dream over the water. All donations, whether large or small, go directly towards the structural preservation of the pier. All funds will be managed by FBGP a registered charity and will solely be used for repair work. If they exceed their target, surplus funds will go towards future projects including the sandblasting and painting of the pier substructure. Donations can be made online at GoFundMe, or via the FBGP website or in person at the Entrance Kiosk or FBGP kiosk shop on the pier. Avril Wayte FBGP Chair said: "Following our launch as a charity in 2022, Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are very excited to be working now in collaboration with Bangor City Council to raise funds to protect our beautiful pier for the future. "Although £2.2 million has already been spent on structural repairs to the pier since 2017, 2 sections of the pier still need to be repaired, to keep the pier safe. "Please help us raise this money by supporting our fundraising campaign – your pier needs you – be part of our pier's future. "Let's protect the pier together. It is a national treasure, a community gem, and a living connection to our past. Bangor City Council Director Martin Hanks said: "Bangor City Council are extremely grateful to the Friends to Garth Pier for organising this initiative to match fund the final phases of the structural renovations of Garth Pier. If successful it will allow us to move to complete the Pier structural renovations much sooner. "To date the City Council has over £2m on the project, which is now some 80% completed. Once the final two phases have been finished, structurally the Pier's future will be secured for another 15-20 years. "Bangor Pier is one of the major attractions of the City and, mainly thanks to the volunteers of the Friends of Garth Pier, a thriving community has developed here. "The completion of the structural renovations will ensure that Bangor Pier is a healthy and enjoyable place to visit for many years to come." Bangor Aberconwy MP Claire Hughes said: "The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier have done an amazing job mobilising the community to support this much-loved, Grade II* listed structure at the heart of the City of Bangor. Please help secure it for future generations to enjoy, and give generously." FBGP Patron Aled Jones said: "As a Patron of the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier I fully support their appeal to raise £40,000 ensuring a sustainable future for this iconic heritage structure in the City of Bangor. "The pier is very close to my heart as I was born in Bangor and grew up locally, singing in Bangor Cathedral. The 2025 appeal means this unique and special place will be enjoyed for generations to come. "Even if you can only give a little, it will make a big difference to this wonderful cause." BGP Patron Revd Wynne Roberts the Welsh Elvis, said: "As a child I went to the pier with my parents to go crabbing, as a student, to sit by the closed gates to eat my lunch, gazing at what was a derelict pier. Now our pier has become a shining gem within the crown of our city, stretching out not only into the Menai Straits, but into the hearts of so many people. This has happened due to the hard work of our Board of Trustees, volunteers, stallholders and Bangor City Council and its officers. "One important way in which you can be a part of this, is by supporting our new appeal, so that we can ensure that our pier continues to shine for generations to come. The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier are a community group and a registered charity established in March 2022 to work with Bangor City Council, the owners of the pier, to secure a sustainable future for the pier. They have over 60 volunteers who man the entrance kiosk 365 days a year to provide a warm welcome to visitors and who work in the FBGP kiosk gift shop, which supports local artists and where all profits go towards supporting the future of the pier.
STV News
17 hours ago
- STV News
Rescue of Scots paddleboarder, ten, to feature in BBC documentary
The rescue of a ten-year-old boy by North Berwick lifeboat crews is to feature in a BBC series. Saving Lives at Sea showcases the work of RNLI crews throughout the UK and Ireland as they respond to everything from sinking ships to tidal cut-offs and kayakers in distress. In the forthcoming episode, which will be broadcast on BBC Two, a ten-year-old boy is swept out to sea on a paddleboard in North Berwick. His parents rush out to try and save him, but all three of them begin struggling in the water. Volunteer helm, Fraser Fulton, along with sibling crew members Steven and Vikki Selby, race to their rescue. Vikki, a volunteer crew member at North Berwick, said: 'I'm thrilled that North Berwick features again in such a long-running and respected series alongside our fellow lifesavers from across the RNLI. 'For my family, it'll be an extra exciting episode as my brother Steven was also on the lifeboat for this rescue, so we'll both be on the TV. 'When the public visits the station, we hear how much they appreciate a chance to see how their generous donations are used to help save lives. We are incredibly grateful for their support, as it is what we rely on to save lives at sea.' The episode will air on Thursday, August 7, 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
