News

Himalayan balsam is an invasive, non-native plant that is bad news for the British countryside for various reasons.

Its flowers are full of nectar and thus are popular with pollinators, and the exploding seed pods ensure that the seeds are cast far and wide - often aided by the flowing water. Thus, they colonise new areas rapidly and as they can grow almost 2m tall, they can create a jungle-like atmosphere – sounds good? Unfortunately not.

Because of the above, they often outcompete native plants, creating a monoculture-style environment along waterways. However, as Himalayan balsam has shallow roots and the plants die back at winter, during these wet months the ground lacks cover, which then can lead to severe soil erosion, destabilising river banks and increasing the risk of flooding.

The abundance and extent of Himalayan balsam in the UK means that it is now impossible to completely eradicate the species in the country. Having said that, regular control is essential to lend native flora a helping hand.

The University's Grounds and Gardens Team don’t just keep the flower beds pretty, they also work in collaboration with the Energy and Sustainability Team to make the campus better for wildlife.

This year, our annual balsam bashing activity saw eight fantastic staff and student volunteers tackling Himalayan balsam by Tocil Lake.

They made a visible impact but it wasn’t just work and the 1-hour slot was full of chat and laughter. The participants agreed that it was a therapeutic activity that was a welcome break in their work/study.

We are grateful for Peter Williams, Team Leader in the Grounds and Gardens Team, for leading this event!