only have the one picture. It grows behind a fence of a garden I cut and I am surprised by how quick it has grew. Only want to know out of curiosity. Looks kind of familiar to this plant sorry not great pictures
Hi Tm, It's Himalayan Balsam. It's an Impatiens and is related to the Busy Lizzy. Given enough moisture it can easily achieve 12/15 ft and produce millions of seedlings. It self seeds everywhere and the seed pods explode sending them everywhere. It's easy enough to pull out in the Spring, it's just the sheer quantity one plant can produce.
It stands about 6 foot now an is quite a nice plant. The bottom picture is a side garden I had to strimmer down because he wants to use it as a vegetable garden next year. Would it be a persistent plant as if because of weather couldn't get out for a week or so would it just shoot up and take over
The bottom pic looks like Rosebay Willowherb or one of that family. They're both relatively easy to keep on top of if you pull them as soon as you see them. PS.... As a bit of extra information, the Rosebay is a relative of Fuchsias and should never be grown near them as it is a carrier of Fuchsia Rust which can be a deadly disease for Fuchsias.
Himalayan Balsam has invaded large areas of the fields where I walk the dogs. It's environmentally damaging so I'd get rid of it. The pods can carry up to 800 seeds in one pod, hence why it's so invasive. Fairly easy to get rid of (and very satisfying), just pull it up by the roots before it flowers. Have a look here for further advice.
I agree with Anthony about both but would get rid of all of them. They are very invasive and can easily get out of control. your neighbours won't thank you for harbouring them! The rosebay may already have seeded everywhere (they float very easily on the wind) but you may be lucky enough to catch the balsam before it starts shooting its seeds all over the place. Be careful when handling the seed pods, if they have formed, as they do, literally, explode and fire the seeds around. Not dangerous except if they hit you in the eye. Kids love playing with them and grabbing hold of a seed pod and feeling the seed explode into their hands.
More like eight seeds per pod but close to eight hundred pods per plant. I've grown a couple of nice forms (including a pure white form) but you do need to deadhead every few days or they will take over. Never ever grow near any water course or it will spread for miles.
