What's eating my mexican hyssop?

Mexican Hyssop (Agastache mexicana) is relatively pest-resistant thanks to its aromatic foliage. Aphids are the most frequent visitor on new growth. Leafhoppers can cause stippled, pale foliage in summer. Four-lined plant bugs leave distinctive round dark spots on leaves. Rabbits and deer tend to avoid it, but young plants may suffer slug damage in spring.

Soft colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes; sticky honeydew and curled or yellowing leaves on actively growing stems. Squash by hand or blast with water; insecticidal soap spray is effective; beneficial insects usually keep populations in check outdoors.

Round, sunken, dark spots on upper leaf surfaces; fresh stippling in spring and early summer; severe feeding distorts new leaves. Hand-pick nymphs (wear gloves — they stain); remove plant debris where eggs overwinter; pyrethrin spray if populations are high.

Pale stippled patches across leaves as adults and nymphs feed on sap; adults jump away rapidly when foliage is disturbed. Reflective mulch deters adults; neem oil spray on leaf undersides; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen, which attracts leafhoppers.