Invasive species – non-native plants, insects, animals introduced into a country accidentally or deliberately are always a problem, as they disturb or destroy the checks and balances of the native ecosystem. Himalayan balsam is one of the worst invasive plant species in the UK. It grows and seeds prolifically, crowding out native plants. When it dies back in the autumn – it’s an annual, despite its size – the ground is left bare and so susceptible to erosion.
It’s of little food value for native British wildlife, but its flowers are very attractive to pollinators. That may sound like a good thing, but pollinators go to Himalayan balsam in preference to native plants, thus further hastening the latter’s decline and worsening the unbalancing of the ecosystem. It’s illegal to plant Himalayan balsam in the UK or let it spread into the wild, and reporting to DEFRA any plants found in the wild is mandatory.
The ‘Groundwork GM’ project, in association with the Mersey Rivers Trust, has organised two days – Saturdays 19th June & 17th July – to clear balsam and to plant native species along the Micker Brook (the Lady Brook, downstream). Meeting will be at 11:00am at the Shiers Drive carpark, Cheadle SK8 1HW – that’s where ‘Cheadle Village’ and Cheadle swimming pool are situated.
To sign up for either of these dates please go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bee-a-pollinator-community-action-day-tickets-156900582867 If you don’t have Eventbrite, or would like more information, contact Francesca Sullivan at francesca.sullivan@groundwork.org.uk 07525 857485
If you would like to find out more about Himalayan balsam – it’s worth knowing what it looks like, in case you come across it and want to report it – there are articles on Plantlife’s website at https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/himalayan-balsam and on The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ website at https://www.welshwildlife.org/wildlifeblog/himalayan-balsam-problems-brought/