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Impatiens glandulifera

 
Impatiens glandulifera
policeman's helmet; Himalayan balsam
Cool buds
Impatiens glandulifera
One of the plants came out white

Common name policeman's helmet; Himalayan balsam
Family balsaminaceae
Life cycle annual
Flowers pink
Size 4-6'
Light sun-part shade
From seed Give several weeks cold, then move to room temperature; germination may start during cold stage.
detailed seed-starting info below
Seed ripenslate July

I first saw this on a business trip to Siberia, and was surprised to see it in many gardens, whereas I was unfamiliar with it. I took a few photos, which helped identify the plant, and managed to trade for seed the next year. A tall annual, it is very ornamental, but apparently it can be invasive in certain climates.

policeman's helmet; Himalayan balsam

This plant used to grow in our garden, but it slipped away...

One or more images of this plant are included in my stock photo catalog

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Seed-starting details for this plant

  1. Seed from '05 trade. Baggy 35F (4w; 20%G, 4w) - 70F (40%G, 1-6d)
  2. Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (22d; 43%G, 22d) - 70F (14%G, 2d)

Grows fast and stocky - don't start too early!


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