What's eating my geranium × oxonianum 'wargrave pink'?

Geranium × oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' is a prolific, spreading ground-cover cranesbill that is mostly trouble-free. Vine weevil is the main structural threat, especially in pots. Capsid bugs cause early-summer leaf tattering, and slugs graze young spring shoots. Its vigorous spreading habit helps it outgrow most minor pest damage rapidly.

Larvae consume roots and the fleshy crown causing collapse, especially in container plants; adult beetles produce notched leaf edges visible after night feeding. Apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer. Check root balls when dividing; squeeze out and destroy any white C-shaped larvae found.

Tiny holes and tattered, distorted young leaves in May–July; toxins injected during feeding stop cells expanding normally, giving leaves a ragged, shot-hole appearance. Spray with pyrethrin or deltamethrin in the evening when adults are active. Remove weedy overwintering habitat nearby. Vigorous plants tolerate moderate capsid damage well.

Grazing on soft emerging spring foliage at ground level, leaving irregular holes and slime trails. This ground-cover geranium spreads quickly and compensates for early-season slug feeding. Scatter ferric phosphate pellets around the planting area in spring. Avoid thick bark mulch over the crowns. The plant's dense spreading mat eventually suppresses slug habitat.