What's eating my lupinus polyphyllus 'gallery blue'?

'Gallery Blue' is a compact lupin equally susceptible to the grey lupin aphid, which is the primary pest threat for the species worldwide. Being shorter does not protect it — aphid colonies still colonise stems heavily. Slugs attack in spring and vine weevil can be destructive in containers. Early intervention is key with all lupin pests.

Dense grey-white colonies on stems and leaf undersides; wilting, honeydew, and sooty mould. Manual removal; insecticidal soap or pyrethrum spray; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds.

Holes and notching in young foliage and crowns during cool, wet spring weather. Iron phosphate pellets; copper barriers; hand-picking after dark; reduce surface mulch near crowns.

Notched leaf margins from nocturnal adults; larvae eat roots causing sudden plant death. Nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) applied in late summer; shake plants to dislodge adults at night; use vine-weevil-resistant compost in pots.