What's eating my david viburnum?

David viburnum is a compact evergreen shrub relatively resistant to viburnum leaf beetle compared to deciduous relatives. Aphids and vine weevil are the main concerns, with vine weevil larvae attacking roots and adults notching leaf margins. Slugs may damage young plants at ground level.

Adults notch leaf margins in a characteristic scalloped pattern at night; larvae (white C-shaped grubs) eat roots, causing sudden wilting and plant collapse Apply nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) to soil in late summer or autumn; use sticky barriers on pot rims; check rootball of potted specimens

Clusters on soft new shoots causing distortion and sticky honeydew deposits that attract sooty mold Squash by hand or apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybugs and hoverflies

Irregular holes and silvery slime trails on lower leaves and soft young stems at ground level Use iron phosphate slug pellets; set beer traps; lay copper tape around vulnerable young plants