What's eating my athyrium filix-femina 'minutissimum'?

This dwarf lady fern cultivar faces the same garden pest pressures as the species: slugs are the primary threat to its small, delicate fronds. Aphids may cluster on new growth, and vine weevil grubs attack roots in containers. Its compact size can make slug damage more noticeable and proportionally more damaging.

Holes and ragged margins on small fronds; entire young croziers may be consumed Ferric phosphate pellets placed around the crown; copper tape on containers; hand removal at dusk

Adult notching on frond edges; larval root damage causes wilting and crown death Steinernema kraussei nematode drench in late summer; inspect rootball annually

Sticky honeydew, distorted frond tips, and possible sooty mold on leaf surfaces Remove with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap solution to affected areas