What's eating my angelique double tulip?

Angelique is a soft-pink double late tulip whose heavy, multi-petalled blooms are especially attractive to slugs and birds. Squirrels and rodents dig the bulbs in autumn. Aphids on stems can spread tulip breaking virus. The double flowers trap moisture and are more vulnerable to botrytis, which often follows pest damage.

Bulbs dug up and eaten in autumn and winter; empty holes in planting areas. Wire mesh pegged over beds after planting; use bulb cages; plant in pots with mesh-covered tops.

Holes in thick, multi-layered petals and basal leaves; heavy blooms resting near soil are especially vulnerable. Iron-phosphate pellets from shoot emergence; grit or sharp-sand around crowns; hand-pick at night.

Colonies on stems and inner petals; honeydew, sooty mould, and virus risk causing petal streaking. Insecticidal soap spray; inspect double blooms carefully as aphids hide between petals; remove infected plants.

Petals pecked apart — double form is especially attractive; flowerheads dismantled before fully opening. Fleece or netting loosely draped over bed at bud stage; iridescent tape deterrents hung nearby.