What's eating my dryopteris dilatata?

Dryopteris dilatata (broad buckler fern) is a robust garden fern with good pest resistance. Slugs and snails are the main threat to young fronds. Vine weevil can damage roots, especially in containers. Deer and rabbits may nibble new growth in open gardens, but established plants typically recover well.

Ragged holes in unrolling croziers and young fronds; slime trails evident in damp conditions Apply iron phosphate pellets around crowns in spring; use grit or sharp sand mulch as a deterrent; set beer traps

Notched leaf margins from adults; grubs eat roots and rhizomes, causing wilting and plant death Treat soil with nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer; inspect roots when dividing and destroy any grubs found

Clean cuts through young fronds close to the crown; browsing can set plants back significantly in spring Install rabbit-proof wire guards around individual plants or use low wire fencing around fern beds