Conservationist's nightmare? I saw this on my brief trip to Dorset back in September. An area of Japanese Knotweed interspersed with Himalayan Balsam- two species generally considered to be among the worst of non-native invasive species.

 It came to mind writing my last entry concerning Cherry Laurel which has a bad rep for being invasive of woodland. We could name and shame various others- for example Rhododendron, Cotoneaster and Buddleja.

 Clearly we no longer agree with the Victorians that Japanese Knotweed is suitable for the shrubbery. Likewise Himalayan Balsam rapidly self-seeded itself out of Victorian gardens and into the countryside. Then again I can't help wondering if there is a certain amount of paranoia concerning these 'foreign' plants? I see Knotweed all over the place yet it doesn't seem to be as destructive as its fearsome reputation suggests. I'm not entirely convinced Balsam is as detrimental to natural habitats as some might say.

 Conservation groups organise 'Balsam bashing' sessions and a whole industry has grown up claiming to eradicate Japanese Knotweed (despite research which concludes no chemical or mechanical methods are fully effective). That may be useful and appropriate in certain situations but arguably a case of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

 The Victorians were right about one thing: both these dreaded thugs are beautiful in flower. The Knotweed was buzzing with honeybees and the Balsam with bumblebees.