Pest identification
What's eating my clematis 'polish spirit'?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower buds; honeydew and sooty mold disfigure stems
Control: Knock off with water; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract natural predators
Earwigs
Signs: Tattered petals and holes in leaves; damage is worst on flowers near fences and walls
Control: Trap overnight in straw-filled pots placed near the plant; collect and dispose of earwigs
Slugs & Snails
Signs: Chewed stems and eaten buds at ground level in spring; tell-tale slime trails
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets; use copper tape on supports; hand-pick at dusk
Keep clematis 'polish spirit' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Clematis 'Polish Spirit' pests — FAQ
What is eating my clematis 'polish spirit'?
Clematis 'Polish Spirit' faces the same outdoor pest pressures as most large-flowered clematis. Aphids are the most consistent nuisance, colonising buds and soft stems in spring and summer. Earwigs shred petals at night, and slugs target emerging shoots in spring. Rabbits occasionally browse young growth.
How do I get rid of aphids on clematis 'polish spirit'?
Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower buds; honeydew and sooty mold disfigure stems Knock off with water; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract natural predators
How do I get rid of earwigs on clematis 'polish spirit'?
Tattered petals and holes in leaves; damage is worst on flowers near fences and walls Trap overnight in straw-filled pots placed near the plant; collect and dispose of earwigs
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on clematis 'polish spirit'?
Chewed stems and eaten buds at ground level in spring; tell-tale slime trails Apply iron phosphate pellets; use copper tape on supports; hand-pick at dusk