The Big Pull

Himalayan Balsam: It’s big, it’s pink and it’s dangerous and this July we’re trying to get rid of as much as possible in the Valley.

Himalayan Balsam loves the rich moist soil found alongside riverbanks and streams, like the Blackwater Valley, and can
grow in full sun or heavy shade. Although an annual it grows taller and faster than native riverside plants, coming into flower from June to September, when it bears bright pink, slipper-shaped flowers (pictured right) with serrated, lance-shaped leaves on purplish-red stems which can grow well over 10 feet
tall (see picture below right). Each flower develops a seed pod containing up to 800 seeds, which explode when ripe, scattering seeds over a large area. Where the plants are growing by a river or stream these seeds are very easily transported downstream which means they can rapidly colonise new areas.

Many people think these plants provide a welcome splash of colour, but this Pink Peril rapidly colonises riverbanks, like the River Blackwater and its feeder stream, causing death and destruction to the native flora.

The only way to get rid of Himlayan Balsam is to remove it completely before it seeds, and this is relatively easy to do as the plant, being shallow rooted, can be easily pulled out by hand or cut low to the ground. The problem - as we have painfully found out in the past - is that Stinging Nettles tend to be found growing alongside Himalayan Balsam, often making it a rather painful experience.

This is the second year running that we have organised ‘The Big Pull’ to highlight the problem caused by this plant and throughout the month we will be  Himalayan Balsam at various locations in the Valley including Frimley Hatches, Hollybush Park and Moor Green Lane. Other conservation groups have joined in our efforts and we would like to thank them all for helping us tackle this invasive and deadly plant.

So, if you see this Pink Peril growing anywhere in the Valley you know what to do with it!