What's eating my double-flowered chamomile?

Double-flowered Chamomile shares the pest profile of Roman Chamomile. Aphids and thrips are the most common threats, with thrips being especially damaging because the dense, double flower heads trap insects and make them harder to dislodge. Slugs and snails chew through low-growing stems. The tightly packed petals can also harbour botrytis in damp conditions.

Silver streaks and flecking on petals; distorted, brownish flower heads; tiny fast-moving insects visible inside blooms Remove infested flowers promptly; use blue sticky traps; apply spinosad in severe infestations; improve air circulation

Sticky residue on stems and buds; distorted new growth; colonies clustered on shoot tips Spray with insecticidal soap; introduce or encourage ladybirds and lacewings; avoid over-feeding with nitrogen

Ragged holes in leaves and stems at ground level, especially in cool, wet weather Use iron phosphate pellets; apply a grit mulch barrier; water plants in the morning to reduce nighttime moisture