What's eating my lily of the valley?

Lily of the valley has few serious pests, but vine weevils chew notched scallops into leaf edges while larvae destroy roots underground. Slugs and snails graze young emerging shoots in spring. Deer avoid this plant due to its toxicity. In humid conditions, botrytis (grey mould) on foliage can mimic insect damage. Good drainage and airflow are the best prevention.

Adults notch irregular scallops around leaf margins; grubs eat roots and rhizomes, causing plants to wilt and die suddenly. Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer/autumn to kill larvae. Hand-pick adults at night. Use sticky bands on pot rims if growing in containers.

Holes and ragged edges on young emerging shoots and unfurling leaves in spring; silvery slime trails present. Apply iron phosphate pellets around crowns in early spring. Remove mulch and debris that provides daytime shelter.

Soft colonies on flower stalks and undersides of leaves; honeydew and minor leaf curl in heavy infestations. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators. Colonies are usually self-limiting on this plant.