Admittedly, most balsams are not particularly attractive ornamental plants for the garden. Their flowers are not very spectacular and they often tend to proliferate. Nevertheless, these plants can be interesting, for example, for planting forests and riparian zones, swamp areas, roadsides and as privacy screens.

The diligent Lizzie is also one of the jumping herbs

Himalayan Balsam/Indian Balsam: The neophyte from India

The now most well-known representative of the balsam herbs is the glandular balsam. It stands out among the approximately 1,000 species in the balsam family. But why? It is less popular in this country, but is considered much more as a weed to be controlled.

The Himalayan balsam, like all other species, is poisonous when fresh. The exception is the edible seeds. But hardly anyone allows these to develop, because: They contribute to the spread of this plant and that is undesirable in many places.

Its characteristics:

  • up to 2 m high
  • shallow, small roots
  • loves locations on riparian zones
  • pink flowers
  • hollow stems, strongly branched at the end
  • Flowering time between July and October
  • black-brown seeds
  • ovate leaves
  • annual

Large Balsam: Flowers up to 3 cm in size

The balsam (Impatiens noli-tangere) originally comes from Eurasia and is also known as 'don't touch me'. It grows up to 90 cm high, has flowers up to 3 cm in size and blooms between June and September. Its flowers are yellow with red-orange dots inside.

Little Balsam: Inconspicuous

In contrast to the giant balsam, this species reaches a maximum height of 50 cm. Its flowers reach a maximum length of 1 cm. They are yellow-white and appear between early July and late August. Overall, this species, which is often reddish on the stem, looks extremely inconspicuous. It comes from Asia and is now also widespread in Europe.

Busy Lizzie: Evergreen ornamental plant

Here are the facts:

  • popular balcony and bed plant
  • Origin: Africa
  • evergreen
  • up to 30 cm high
  • are different from other jumping herbs
  • Flower colors: white, orange, red, pink, purple or multicolored
  • Flowering period: May to October
  • also semi-double varieties with semi-double flowers

tips

Also exciting for balsam fans are balsam balsam from China, orange-red balsam and Balfour's balsam from the Himalayas.

Category:

Herbs