Pest identification
What's eating my geranium x oxonianum?
Vine weevil
Signs: Creamy grubs eat roots, leading to wilting; adults notch leaf edges nocturnally.
Control: Soil drench with biological nematodes in August–September; bare-root divisions before replanting to check for grubs.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in foliage and eaten stems close to soil level; slime trails confirm presence.
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets, grit mulch, beer traps, or hand-picking after dark.
Aphids
Signs: Clustered insects on new stems causing sticky honeydew and distorted leaves.
Control: Water jet or insecticidal soap; ladybirds and hoverflies provide effective natural control.
Rabbits
Signs: Clean cuts on stems and browsed-down foliage, mainly in early spring.
Control: Wire-mesh guards around clumps; rabbit-proof fencing along borders; plant less palatable species nearby.
Keep geranium x oxonianum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Geranium x oxonianum pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium x oxonianum?
Geranium x oxonianum is vigorous and largely trouble-free, but vine weevil, slugs, and aphids are the main pests to watch. In cottage and wildlife gardens, rabbits may also graze young growth. Downy mildew can resemble pest damage in humid conditions. Vine weevil root damage is the hardest to detect early.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on geranium x oxonianum?
Creamy grubs eat roots, leading to wilting; adults notch leaf edges nocturnally. Soil drench with biological nematodes in August–September; bare-root divisions before replanting to check for grubs.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium x oxonianum?
Holes in foliage and eaten stems close to soil level; slime trails confirm presence. Ferric phosphate pellets, grit mulch, beer traps, or hand-picking after dark.
How do I get rid of aphids on geranium x oxonianum?
Clustered insects on new stems causing sticky honeydew and distorted leaves. Water jet or insecticidal soap; ladybirds and hoverflies provide effective natural control.
How do I get rid of rabbits on geranium x oxonianum?
Clean cuts on stems and browsed-down foliage, mainly in early spring. Wire-mesh guards around clumps; rabbit-proof fencing along borders; plant less palatable species nearby.