What's eating my helenium 'rotgold'?

Helenium 'Rotgold' is a tall, clump-forming sneezeweed attractive to pollinators but also to aphids and slugs. Aphids cluster on young stems in spring. Slugs and snails damage emerging growth. Leaf miners can cause occasional cosmetic damage. Deer sometimes browse heleniums, especially in hungry periods. Plants in rich, moist soil attract more pests.

Dense colonies on young spring stems, causing distortion and sticky honeydew that promotes sooty mould. Squash by hand or use insecticidal soap spray. Encourage ladybugs with companion planting. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser.

Irregular holes and slime trails on fresh basal growth in spring, which can severely set back young plants. Iron phosphate pellets around crowns from late winter; hand-pick at night; use a grit mulch around plants.

White or pale-green winding tunnels visible through the leaf surface, caused by fly larvae feeding inside leaves. Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly. Chemical control is rarely needed; natural parasitoids usually keep populations in check.

Stems and foliage bitten off, especially on young growth in spring and autumn when other food is scarce. Physical deer fencing is most reliable; deer-repellent sprays offer temporary protection during vulnerable growth stages.