Pest identification
What's eating my fringed bleeding heart?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and curled, distorted foliage
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural enemies such as ladybirds keep populations in check
Slugs & snails
Signs: Holes chewed through the ferny, divided leaves; silvery mucus trails visible in the morning
Control: Hand-pick after dark; use iron phosphate pellets around clumps; beer traps; improve drainage to reduce slug habitat
Scale insects
Signs: Hard, waxy bumps on stems; sap loss causes pale, yellowing foliage and general decline
Control: Remove with a damp cloth or soft brush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat applications target crawlers in spring
Keep fringed bleeding heart pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Fringed Bleeding Heart pests — FAQ
What is eating my fringed bleeding heart?
Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) is deer and rabbit resistant and notably pest-resistant. Aphids are the most frequent problem, targeting soft new growth in spring. Slugs may graze on the delicate ferny foliage. Scale insects are an occasional nuisance. This species re-blooms all summer, so prompt pest control maintains continuous flowering.
How do I get rid of aphids on fringed bleeding heart?
Clusters of soft insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and curled, distorted foliage Knock off with a strong water jet; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural enemies such as ladybirds keep populations in check
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on fringed bleeding heart?
Holes chewed through the ferny, divided leaves; silvery mucus trails visible in the morning Hand-pick after dark; use iron phosphate pellets around clumps; beer traps; improve drainage to reduce slug habitat
How do I get rid of scale insects on fringed bleeding heart?
Hard, waxy bumps on stems; sap loss causes pale, yellowing foliage and general decline Remove with a damp cloth or soft brush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat applications target crawlers in spring