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Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be

South Wales Argus

time23-06-2025

  • 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.

Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be

Leader Live

time22-06-2025

  • 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.

Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be
Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be

Powys County Times

time21-06-2025

  • 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.

Scots homes urged to close windows and blinds on Friday
Scots homes urged to close windows and blinds on Friday

Daily Record

time17-06-2025

  • Climate
  • Daily Record

Scots homes urged to close windows and blinds on Friday

Households have been advised to follow the advice issued to millions Households across the country are being urged to keep their windows, blinds and curtains closed this week as temperatures are set to soar. With glorious sunshine expected in the days ahead, experts have revealed key ways to ensure your house remains cool and comfortable. Friday (June 20) is set to be the warmest day over the coming week, with the majority of the country enjoying temperatures in the mid-20s. Glasgow could hit 25C, while Edinburgh is on course to bag 24C, and Aberdeen is expecting highs of around 22C. Looking ahead to the following week, STV weatherman Sean Batty, believes another surge of heat may arrive late next weekend or early in the week of June 23. ‌ "Some models are hinting at a more intense bubble of heat, possibly pushing temperatures close to 30°C in some locations," he told the broadcaster, before adding: "But this is just speculative at this stage." ‌ Insulation experts at Construction Megastore Building Materials have issued various tips to keep cool when the mercury rises uncomfortably high, including blocking out the sunlight in to reduce the heat indoors. Insulation gurus at the firm said: "To prevent rooms from overheating, keep blinds or curtains closed during the sunniest parts of the day, particularly on south-facing windows, reports the Express. "Blackout curtains or reflective linings can help block out heat." The British Red Cross also makes the recommendation in its advice on keeping your home cool, but adds that "hanging a bed sheet or towel should have a similar effect" if you don't have curtains or blinds. ‌ The charity also recommends waiting "until the cooler times of the day to open windows", rather than letting warmer air in. "When they are open, you can creating a breeze in your home by opening different windows to help air to circulate." Other guidance includes making sure your central heating and other heat-creating appliances and electronic are turned off, or seeking out cool, well air-conditioned environments like libraries if it's too hot at home. ‌ The NHS warns that heatwaves can increase the chance of serious illness and even lead to fatalities, with young children and elderly people most vulnerable. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The main risks heatwaves bring are: ‌ Not drinking enough water (dehydration) Overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing Heat exhaustion and heatstroke You can find tips from the health service on how to stay cool on their website. The Met Office categorises a heatwave as when a location records at least three consecutive days of temperature values reaching or rising above the heatwave temperature threshold, which varies by location.

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