What's eating my common peony?

Common peony is troubled mainly by thrips rasping petals and distorting buds, aphids clustering on tender shoots, and occasional rose chafer beetles chewing blooms. Ants on buds are harmless nectar feeders. Good airflow also guards against botrytis blight, which can kill buds in wet springs before insects get the chance.

Buds brown at edges or fail to open; petals show silvery streaks or white flecks where tissue has been rasped. Use blue sticky traps to monitor numbers; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil at bud stage. Remove affected buds promptly.

Clusters of soft insects on new shoots and flower stems; leaves curl and growth is stunted; sticky honeydew may attract sooty mould. Blast off with a strong jet of water; introduce ladybirds or lacewings; use insecticidal soap for heavier infestations.

Adult beetles chew open flower buds and petals, leaving ragged holes; damage peaks in late spring to early summer. Hand-pick adults in the morning when sluggish; treat organically with neem-based sprays; remove larvae from surrounding soil.