What's eating my paeonia lactiflora 'festiva maxima'?

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' is most troubled by botrytis blight and aphids, but ants and thrips also visit the blooms. Aphids cluster on new shoots and buds; botrytis (grey mold) rots stems in wet springs. Deer and rabbits occasionally browse young foliage. Remove affected tissue promptly and ensure good air circulation.

Soft-bodied insects cluster on new growth and buds, causing distorted shoots and sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold. Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings.

Stems rot at soil level, buds turn brown and fail to open, grey fuzzy mold appears in wet or humid conditions. Cut out and bin affected stems; improve spacing for airflow; apply copper-based fungicide in early spring as shoots emerge.

Silvery streaks or brown flecking on petals and buds; petals may be distorted or fail to open fully. Remove heavily infested blooms; use sticky blue traps to monitor; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap in the evening.

Young shoots browsed to the ground in early spring before stems harden. Use physical barriers such as wire cloches over crowns in spring; deer repellent sprays applied to emerging growth.