Pest identification
What's eating my geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark'?
Aphids
Signs: Large greenish colonies on new growth and flower buds; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mold; bud distortion can reduce flower quality
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with a water jet; attract hoverflies with nearby umbellifers
Sawfly larvae
Signs: Rapid leaf skeletonization by small gregarious caterpillar-like larvae feeding on undersides; can defoliate a clump in days
Control: Inspect leaf undersides weekly in June–August; hand-pick or knock larvae into soapy water; use pyrethrum spray for heavy attacks
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in tender leaves in spring, especially after wet weather; young divided plants most vulnerable
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets; beer traps; grit mulch around crowns
Keep geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats geranium pratense — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark' problems & fixes
- Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' watering schedule
- Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' light requirements
- Full geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark' care guide
Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark'?
Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark' is a classic border perennial. Aphids are the most frequently reported pest, massing on the soft shoot tips and buds. Sawfly larvae can strip leaves quickly if unnoticed. Slugs attack young growth in spring, and deer or rabbits may browse open border plantings.
How do I get rid of aphids on geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark'?
Large greenish colonies on new growth and flower buds; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mold; bud distortion can reduce flower quality Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with a water jet; attract hoverflies with nearby umbellifers
How do I get rid of sawfly larvae on geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark'?
Rapid leaf skeletonization by small gregarious caterpillar-like larvae feeding on undersides; can defoliate a clump in days Inspect leaf undersides weekly in June–August; hand-pick or knock larvae into soapy water; use pyrethrum spray for heavy attacks
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium pratense 'mrs kendall clark'?
Holes in tender leaves in spring, especially after wet weather; young divided plants most vulnerable Ferric phosphate pellets; beer traps; grit mulch around crowns