Hi, We need help identifying this unusual plant in our backyard. It is approximately 6-8 feet tall, has a thick stalk, and multiple bunches of beautiful small pink flowers. We have also seen the plant near a nearby creek/forest, but have been unable to find out what it is. The butterflies and bees love it. We are in Ontario, Canada.
Eeeck! The dreaded, yet beautiful Himalayan balsam. Impatiens glandulifera. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=i...LB7Aay9oCIDA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=967 A foreign plant with explosive seed pods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_glandulifera
It is really beautiful and hardy. Another common name is "touch me not" because when touched the ripe pod explodes and shoots seeds everywhere!. If you only have a few plants and want to keep it, try picking off the flowers as they fade and don't let it form seed pods. Good luck! ;-)))
Thank you for the responses. I like the plant, but will definitely be pulling it out. Apparently it is very invasive and not native to the area. Too bad, it's very beautiful.
An interesting case. It is native to zone 8, yet seems to have no problem reseeding in zone 5 at least. Anyone know just how hardy it is, and how its seeds manage to survive such low temperatures compared to its homeland?
