What's eating my heucherella 'tapestry'?

Heucherella 'Tapestry' is most threatened by vine weevil, whose grubs eat roots and can kill plants outright — especially in containers. Slugs nibble young foliage in spring, and vine weevil adults leave characteristic notched leaf margins at night. Aphids occasionally colonise tender new growth in warm spells.

Adults cut distinctive U-shaped notches around leaf margins at night; larvae feed on roots and crowns, causing sudden wilting and plant collapse — most dangerous in containers. Apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer or autumn. Use vine weevil barrier glue on pot rims and inspect roots when repotting. Imidacloprid-based compost drenches (where permitted) for high-value plants.

Irregular ragged holes in young, soft leaves; silvery slime trails visible on foliage and soil surface, worst in spring on emerging growth. Apply ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe) around crowns in spring. Hand-pick at night, use copper barrier tape on containers, and maintain good garden hygiene by removing debris where slugs hide.

Soft colonies on new shoot tips and undersides of young leaves, causing curling, distortion and sticky honeydew that encourages sooty mould. Blast off with a strong jet of water. Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings). Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray for persistent infestations.