What's eating my geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'?

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' is one of the most pest-resistant hardy geraniums — its strongly aromatic leaves deter deer, rabbits and most insects. Vine weevil is the realistic primary threat. Slugs may occasionally sample young spring shoots but almost always move on. It is rarely troubled by capsid bugs.

Root-feeding larvae damage the thick rhizomes and crown, causing wilting; less common than on other geraniums in open ground but a genuine risk in containers. Water nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) into soil in late summer. Divide plants every few years to inspect the root zone. Avoid waterlogged soil which stresses roots.

Occasional grazing on the softest young leaves in early spring; the strongly scented foliage quickly becomes unpalatable and serious or repeated damage is unusual. Apply ferric phosphate pellets in early spring if slugs are a known problem in your garden. Once growth is underway, no further action is typically needed.

Occasional distorted leaves and tiny tattered holes in shoot tips in early summer; less common than on other Geranium species due to the aromatic foliage. Tolerate low-level damage — it is cosmetic and the plant grows away from it. Spray with pyrethrin in the evening only if damage is severe and widespread.