What's eating my mountain hydrangea 'bluebird'?

Mountain Hydrangea 'Bluebird' is a compact, shade-tolerant shrub prone to aphids on its delicate new growth and slugs in cool, damp sites. Vine weevil adults notch the distinctive serrated leaves at night. In US gardens, Japanese beetles skeletonize foliage mid-summer. Start with physical controls — hand-picking and water sprays — before reaching for sprays.

Soft, distorted shoot tips; sticky honeydew on leaves below the infestation Firm water spray to dislodge; follow with insecticidal soap on undersides of leaves if colonies persist.

Irregular holes in leaves, particularly low on the plant; slime trails visible after rain or at night Apply iron-phosphate pellets (e.g., Sluggo / Ferramol) around the base. Reduce mulch depth directly against stems.

U-shaped notches around leaf margins cut by adult weevils at night; larvae cause root rot and sudden wilting Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to soil in late summer. Check container plants for C-shaped larvae in compost.

Lacy skeletonized leaves June–August; beetles feed in groups on sunny days Hand-pick into soapy water early morning; apply pyrethrin or neem oil spray for heavy pressure.