What's eating my dawn viburnum?

Dawn viburnum is a winter-flowering deciduous shrub most threatened by viburnum leaf beetle and aphids in the growing season. Its early fragrant blooms can attract aphid colonies on emerging shoots. Deer may browse bark and stems during winter dormancy when other food sources are limited.

Spring larvae skeletonize leaves; adult beetles create shot-hole damage through summer; repeated heavy infestations progressively weaken the plant Cut out egg-laying twig tips in late winter before hatch; spray larvae with spinosad or neem oil in May

Distorted, tightly curled young leaves; honeydew deposits and attendant sooty mold reduce photosynthesis Rub off colonies by hand; apply insecticidal soap spray; avoid over-feeding with high-nitrogen fertiliser

Browsing of flower buds and young stem tips in late winter; bark rubbing by antlers can girdle and kill stems Apply deer repellent sprays around the plant; use wire caging around individual shrubs in high-deer-pressure gardens