What's eating my embothrium coccineum?

Chilean fire bush is largely trouble-free but young plants can suffer aphid attacks on new growth and root damage from vine weevil in containers. In wet UK conditions, phytophthora root rot is the leading killer. Rabbits and deer may browse young stems in exposed garden situations.

Yellowing foliage, wilting shoots, and rapid decline; dark staining visible at the root collar when bark is peeled back Plant in free-draining acidic soil; avoid waterlogging; no cure once established — remove and destroy affected plants, do not replant in the same spot

Soft shoot tips distorted; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on young leaves in spring Blast off with water jet; apply insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy; encourage hoverflies and ladybirds

Clean gnawing cuts on stems near ground level, removing bark and girdling young plants Spiral guards or wire mesh cylinder around the base until plants are well established and stems are woody