Pest identification
What's eating my diana clare pulmonaria?
Slugs & snails
Signs: Irregular holes chewed through leaves; slime trails on foliage and soil after wet nights
Control: Iron phosphate slug pellets around the crown; hand-pick after dark; coarse grit barrier; avoid thick mulch which shelters slugs
Powdery mildew
Signs: White powdery patches on leaf surfaces in dry summers, though less severe than in older Pulmonaria varieties
Control: Maintain consistent soil moisture; cut foliage back after flowering; treat with neem oil or diluted milk spray if symptoms appear
Aphids
Signs: Sticky residue and curled tips on young growth; small soft insects on stem tips and leaf undersides
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid feeding with high-nitrogen fertilizer which stimulates soft aphid-prone growth
Keep diana clare pulmonaria pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Diana Clare Pulmonaria pests — FAQ
What is eating my diana clare pulmonaria?
Diana Clare Pulmonaria is valued for its powdery-mildew resistance compared to some older cultivars, but it is not fully immune. Slugs are the more likely spring pest on this large-leaved, silver-splashed plant. Aphids are a minor occasional visitor. Good planting spacing and avoiding overhead watering keeps this cultivar clean.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on diana clare pulmonaria?
Irregular holes chewed through leaves; slime trails on foliage and soil after wet nights Iron phosphate slug pellets around the crown; hand-pick after dark; coarse grit barrier; avoid thick mulch which shelters slugs
How do I get rid of powdery mildew on diana clare pulmonaria?
White powdery patches on leaf surfaces in dry summers, though less severe than in older Pulmonaria varieties Maintain consistent soil moisture; cut foliage back after flowering; treat with neem oil or diluted milk spray if symptoms appear
How do I get rid of aphids on diana clare pulmonaria?
Sticky residue and curled tips on young growth; small soft insects on stem tips and leaf undersides Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; avoid feeding with high-nitrogen fertilizer which stimulates soft aphid-prone growth