What's eating my magnolia wilsonii?

Magnolia wilsonii is a tough, compact species with few serious pest problems. Scale insects occasionally colonise stems, and slugs and vine weevils can damage young plants. In woodland settings deer may browse low-hanging pendulous flowers. Overall pest pressure is low compared with large-leaved magnolias.

Waxy, limpet-like bumps on bark; sooty mould on leaves beneath colonies; reduced vigour Treat crawlers in summer with horticultural oil or neem oil; remove heavy infestations manually; improve air circulation by thinning nearby vegetation

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles feeding at night; grubs damage roots of young plants in containers Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; use sticky barriers on pots; check root balls of nursery plants before planting

Irregular holes in young leaves and soft new growth, especially after rain; silvery slime trails Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around the base; use copper tape on containers; hand-pick at night; encourage hedgehogs and ground beetles