eradicate Himalayan Balsam

Good for you it's a pest. I've known it all my life as it grows on the banks of our local river. when I was small it only grew in a few places but now it's all along the banks. It has a unique smell, quite like it actually as it reminds of my youth. The 'Authorities' are trying to eradicate it but it's difficult as spraying is a no no as it grows near our drinking water.

I saw this programme too and was surprised the Beekeeper said it's better than Brambles and/or Nettles. My reaction was 'silly man ! ' or words to that effect. : o ) )

I have been watching this programme as well , the plant in question looked lovely, you would not realise looking at it how much of a pest it is.

There's so much of this in some places I don't think it will ever get totally erradicated. It just seems to be taking over. It's very pretty though.

there was a man selling this on saturday and i told him it was a weed,luckily there were no takers and i noticed he took it home with him

Gracious me, even sélling it! Pfffttt...

Shirley, I had the same reaction! Grrrrr. I cannot understand those people.

he said one mans weed is another mans plant,prat

Well, I guess that it's short-sightedness rather than stupidity. Himalayan Balsam is so pretty, and unless people who know better explain to us why it is damaging, we never know. I first saw this recently growing along the banks of the River Spey. My friend and I took seed to her garden as it was so pretty. I don't know if they germinated, but I had no idea about the bees neglecting the native species until I read this blog. Education, education, education as someone once said! lol ;)