What's eating my motherwort?

Motherwort is a robust herb that few pests target seriously. Slugs and snails are the main threat to young plants, especially in spring. Aphids occasionally colonise tender growth. Once established in a sunny, well-drained spot, motherwort is largely trouble-free; deer generally avoid its bitter-tasting foliage.

Irregular holes in young leaves and stems; tell-tale slime trails overnight or after rain Hand-pick at night; apply iron phosphate slug pellets; use grit or copper tape barriers around young plants

Soft colonies on new shoot tips; sticky honeydew and distorted growth if unchecked Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybird larvae; remove heavily infested tips by hand