What's eating my geranium renardii?

Geranium renardii, a drought-tolerant species with distinctive sage-textured leaves, has very few serious pest problems. Its lobed, aromatic foliage and low spreading habit make it unattractive to most pests. Vine weevil larvae are the main threat, particularly in gritty raised beds and pots, and slugs may nibble young growth in spring.

Larvae eat roots and crown tissue causing plants to wilt and fail; adult beetles produce ragged notching around leaf edges at night. Drench soil with Steinernema kraussei nematodes in late summer; check under pots and around crowns for white C-shaped grubs.

Occasional holes in young leaves at the start of the growing season; damage typically slight once the textured leaves mature. Apply ferric phosphate pellets around plants in spring; hand-pick after rain; use a gravel mulch to discourage slug movement.