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identify a plant

lynnewilliams54lynnewilliams54 Posts: 4
in Plants

Can you identify this plant for me pleaseimage

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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    looks rather like Himalayan Balsam to me.

    Quite pretty and loved by bees, but self-sows all over the place. Easy to pull out though.

    As to whether it's a weed or not, up to you, but I believe it is a destructive plant and recommended to destroy.

    Last edited: 03 June 2016 10:09:13


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • mushermusher Posts: 389

    Big problem if it gets established.

  • lynnewilliams54lynnewilliams54 Posts: 4

    Thank you for your prompt reply. A few months ago we had the soil in our garden replaced by our local authority due to it being contaminated and this weed has come with the imported soil. We are not very happy! We have never seen this plant before and it seems to be taking over our garden. What is the best method of getting rid of it please before it flowers and seeds? We have a very large garden by the way so it would take too long to pull each one out individually.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    tbh pulling out by hand is the easiest way if the ground is soft, they come out easily.
    If you pull, and it snaps at the base, much like a hydra it'll re-grow lots of new shoots.

    I would think glyphosphate (Roundup etc) would work quickly if you prefer that method.

    I had an infestation some yrs ago and they still pop up frequently 


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126

    you may want to have a look here -

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants

    then have a word with your local council


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    pulling is the easiest way of controlling,

    I used to work for my local council and we'd spend two months of the year pulling this up from along the beck valleys in the area with volunteers.

    the seeds can last in the soil for 3-4 years so be prepared fro them to sprout for the next couple of years

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