Pest identification
What's eating my clematis 'dr. ruppel'?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies of greenfly on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mold
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; blast off with water; encourage ladybirds
Earwigs
Signs: Irregular holes in the large petals and notches on leaf edges; damage found in the morning
Control: Set earwig traps (straw in an upturned pot); collect by torchlight at night
Slugs & Snails
Signs: Emerging stems eaten at or just above soil level; slimy trails left behind
Control: Iron phosphate slug pellets; coarse grit around crown; hand-pick at dusk
Keep clematis 'dr. ruppel' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Clematis 'Dr. Ruppel' pests — FAQ
What is eating my clematis 'dr. ruppel'?
Clematis 'Dr. Ruppel' is a vigorous, large-flowered bicolor clematis. Aphids are the most persistent pest, crowding shoot tips and flower buds in spring and again in late summer. Earwigs disfigure the wide blooms at night. Slugs attack the base in wet springs, and rabbits will browse young shoots in rural gardens.
How do I get rid of aphids on clematis 'dr. ruppel'?
Colonies of greenfly on shoot tips and buds; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mold Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; blast off with water; encourage ladybirds
How do I get rid of earwigs on clematis 'dr. ruppel'?
Irregular holes in the large petals and notches on leaf edges; damage found in the morning Set earwig traps (straw in an upturned pot); collect by torchlight at night
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on clematis 'dr. ruppel'?
Emerging stems eaten at or just above soil level; slimy trails left behind Iron phosphate slug pellets; coarse grit around crown; hand-pick at dusk