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Also known as touch-me-not, rose balsam, garden balsam or jumping betty, balsam flower (Impatiens balsamina) is beautiful and easy to grow – so easy, in fact, that this self-sowing plant can become a weedy nuisance in certain areas. There are many reasons to grow balsam flowers in the garden, and if youve got space for this rambunctious plant to spread, you wont be disappointed – unless the following balsam plant negatives change your mind. Remember, there are always two sides to consider.
Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a popular annual flower that can add beauty and benefits to gardens. Native to Asia and tropical regions balsam thrives in warm climates and moist well-drained soil. With its vibrant flowers and lush foliage, this plant deserves a spot in both ornamental and edible gardens.
Below are 7 key reasons to grow balsam plants in your garden:
1. Attracts Pollinators
With its nectar-rich flowers, balsam attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. It provides an excellent source of food for pollinators, which are critical for nearby fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals to set seed and fruit. More pollinators means better pollination and higher yields.
2. Repels Pests
Research shows that balsam emits chemicals that can deter common garden pests like aphids beetles, and caterpillars. Intercropping balsam with vegetables herbs, and flowers can protect them from pest damage without harmful pesticides.
3. Adds Vibrant Color
Balsam comes in a diverse range of colors including pink, red, white, purple, and variegated patterns. It blooms prolifically throughout the summer, adding vivid pops of color to gardens, borders, containers, and more. The double flower forms resemble roses or camellias.
4. Provides Cut Flowers
The beautiful blooms and lively colors of balsam make excellent cut flowers. Place them in bouquets and floral arrangements to brighten up your home. Balsam flowers last 7-10 days in water prolonging your enjoyment of them.
5. Attracts Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds flock to the nectar-filled blooms of balsam. Planting balsam brings more of these tiny energetic birds to your garden. Watching them flutter and feed on the flowers is a delight.
6. Culinary Uses
Balsam has some culinary uses too. The flowers and tender leaves can be added to salads for a decorative touch. The seeds are edible when roasted. Balsam flower extract is sometimes used to flavor desserts and beverages.
7. Medicinal Properties
Various parts of balsam have been used in herbal medicine systems. Leaves and flowers are used topically to treat skin irritations and burns. Balsam has antifungal, antioxidant, and wound healing benefits. However, pregnant women should avoid balsam as it may stimulate menstruation.
With benefits for pollinators, pest control, visual appeal, culinary uses, and more, balsam is a versatile plant for gardens. A few balsam plants are sure to improve garden biodiversity and productivity. Their low maintenance and prolific flowering make them a joy to cultivate.
Balsam Flower Planting Pros
(Marys viewpoint) Balsam flower is an annual plant that hales from Southeast Asia. Compact, double forms are the most common and available in a stunning array of colors that white and shades of red, salmon, lilac, orange, purple, rose or pink, either solid colored or variegated. This variety in color and form is probably the most popular reason to grow these old-fashioned beauties in the garden, but here are some more: They attract pollinators and keep coming back. Because balsam flowers re-seed themselves prolifically, youll have masses of bright, long-lasting blooms to attract butterflies again and again. Balsam flowers also attract sphinx moths (also known as hawk moths or hummingbird moths), which hover and sip nectar from the sweet blooms. They can be used for herbal remedies. Herbalists use crushed balsam flowers, often in poultice form, to relieve a number of ailments, including burns and scalds, warts, torn nails, snakebites and various inflammations of the skin. Theyre tough plants. Balsam flower pros include the plants ability to thrive in shady areas and moist woodland gardens. Once established, balsam flowers require very little care and theyll bloom even during your worst summer heat waves. Just amend the soil with a little well-rotted manure or compost before planting, then keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Balsam flowers benefit from a light application of dry or water-soluble fertilizer every couple of weeks throughout the growing season – but even without fertilizer, these plants will generally thrive just fine.
Cons of Growing Balsam Flowers
(Nikkis viewpoint) First off, I wont try denying the beauty and hardiness of these impatiens relatives. In fact, it is for this reason that I added them to my own garden years ago. That and the fact that the flowers are great for attracting pollinators to the area. So why then would I want to ask others to think twice before planting balsam flowers? They can take over, quickly! When it comes to balsam plant negatives, there is really only one, but its an important one. These flowers are prolific self-seeders! Like its cousin Himalayan balsam, this plant reproduces by seed, and lots of them every year. And it is from their seed in which youll find their well-earned nickname of touch-me-not, as with just the slightest touch, the seed pods burst open, flailing the seeds everywhere, including areas you dont want them. I found this out firsthand the hard way after adding them around my veggie garden to entice more pollinators. They did their job well, and the bees and butterflies came. My vegetables grew and produced abundantly without fail. The garden looked pretty too, with the numerous colorful blooms. But come end of season, when the flowers faded and the fuzzy seed pods took their place, I pulled the annuals and tossed them aside…in the compost pile near the edge of the woods. And to my wonder, I soon found tons of seedlings popping up in the backyard veggie bed, in the compost, throughout the woods and even areas of the front lawn. EVERYWHERE! While it is recommended that cutting and hand pulling are the best methods of control, and ones in which I frequently employ, years later I continue to battle these menacing beauties. As with the horde of flies that seem to attend the funerals of each one you swat and kill, the more seedlings you pluck them, more seem to pop up to take their place. This year, in fact, they took over that vegetable plot, shading out many of my once thriving plants. They are susceptible to powdery mildew. In addition to its potential to become weedy in landscape, balsam plants are also prone to developing powdery mildew, which can affect nearby plantings.
WHAT ARE USES OF BALSAM PLANT?
FAQ
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