Wildflower: Himalayan balsam

Yes, Himalayan. Impatiens glandulifera (Drüsiges Springkraut) is native to the Himalayas. It was brought to Europe in the 1830s (Dresden, Germany in 1837, and Kew Gardens, England in 1939) and soon achieved invasive weed status in many parts of the world. Some other names for the plant are Indian balsam, bee-bums, stinky-pops, policeman's helmet and poor-man's orchid.

Update on the blue car post: A reader identified it as an Amilcar, produced in France during the 1920s. Thank you, Richard (SAN)!

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An exuberance of flowers

Lovingly tended by a resident on Hauptstrasse, this predominantly rose garden is visible from our kitchen window. For a look at what it looks like from the window (this is a ground level view), please visit my overflow site. I didn't mention it yesterday, but yesterday's photo was taken from our guestroom, which also serves as my work room. I've posted many photos that were taken from that window.

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