21 - Himalayan Balsam

Not really a good photo, but a darn moan! We live on the banks of a major river in the UK. Our neighbours have swathes of this growing next to us and my poor husband is forever trying to stop it encroaching our property. Any helpful advice greatly received!

[Dave]

They are lovely flower.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

looks like a great pollinator attracter!

[Dawn]

They are pretty but sound invasive, feel for your hubby trying to keep at bay

[Shutterbug]

It looks like a pretty flower, but sorry it is invasive.

[Kathy]

I'm sure you don't want to use chemicals especially so close to the river. Can you smother it with cardboard? Of course if you can, you'll also kill off anything else under the cardboard. A shame because it is pretty.

[Steve Joyce]

Slash and burn, preferably before the flowers get going (next year).

[Madeleine Pennock]

@Dawn @shutterbug49 @randystreat @sjoyce Thanks for comments and advice. It is a pain to be honest!

[Madeleine Pennock]

@darchibald @koalagardens Yes it is both a lovely looking flower and great pollinator, but it is an invasive species suffocating all other plants. It seems to favour river banks (where we live) and the seeds are catapulted when they are dispersed and are easily transported downstream. We have a 2 acre plot, with an acre on the river front. It is an endless task trying to keep it under control.