What's eating my hosta 'first frost'?

Hosta 'First Frost' is as slug-prone as any hosta — its attractive blue-green and gold-edged foliage is a prime target. Slugs and deer are the two biggest threats. Vine weevils attack roots in containers. Foliar nematodes leave brown streaks between veins in wet weather. Rabbits will also graze new shoots.

Ragged holes across leaves from newly emerged growth through summer; worst during wet, mild weather. Iron-phosphate pellets placed around crowns; beer traps; copper tape on container rims; night hand-picking.

Whole plants browsed to the ground; deer readily locate and consume hostas even in established gardens. Commercial deer repellent sprays; physical barriers; planting in enclosed areas.

Notched leaf margins from adult feeding; root damage from larvae kills plants in pots. Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to pot compost in September; inspect roots annually.

Clean, low cuts through stems and petioles on emerging spring growth; damage looks like a knife cut. Low wire mesh guards around individual crowns; rabbit-proof perimeter fencing.