Pest identification
What's eating my delphinium 'magic fountains'?
Slugs & snails
Signs: Shoots eaten off at or just below soil level; compact habit means little growth left to recover
Control: Grit barrier around each crown from late winter; iron phosphate pellets; nightly inspections
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on stems and flower buds; honeydew, sooty mould, reduced flowering
Control: Pinch out infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray
Delphinium moth caterpillars
Signs: Larvae inside hollow stems; wilted or collapsed flower spikes
Control: Remove and destroy affected stems; Bt spray timed to young larvae
Keep delphinium 'magic fountains' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats candle larkspur — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common delphinium 'magic fountains' problems & fixes
- Delphinium 'Magic Fountains' watering schedule
- Delphinium 'Magic Fountains' light requirements
- Full delphinium 'magic fountains' care guide
Delphinium 'Magic Fountains' pests — FAQ
What is eating my delphinium 'magic fountains'?
Delphinium 'Magic Fountains' — a compact cultivar — faces the same threats as taller delphiniums: slugs destroying spring shoots, aphid colonies on stems and buds, and occasionally delphinium moth caterpillars boring inside stems. Its shorter stature means slug damage can eliminate the entire plant if unprotected.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on delphinium 'magic fountains'?
Shoots eaten off at or just below soil level; compact habit means little growth left to recover Grit barrier around each crown from late winter; iron phosphate pellets; nightly inspections
How do I get rid of aphids on delphinium 'magic fountains'?
Clusters on stems and flower buds; honeydew, sooty mould, reduced flowering Pinch out infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray
How do I get rid of delphinium moth caterpillars on delphinium 'magic fountains'?
Larvae inside hollow stems; wilted or collapsed flower spikes Remove and destroy affected stems; Bt spray timed to young larvae