What's eating my panicle hydrangea 'pinky winky'?

Panicle Hydrangea 'Pinky Winky' (Hydrangea paniculata) is among the most pest-resistant hydrangeas but aphids, rose chafer beetles, and slugs can cause damage. Aphids are the most frequent problem, clustering on new shoot tips in spring. H. paniculata is generally tougher than macrophylla types and recovers well from infestations.

Congregate on tender new growth and emerging flower panicles, causing distorted shoots and sticky honeydew residue that may discolour the large white-to-pink flower heads. Hose off with a strong jet of water. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if the colony persists. Remove heavily infested shoot tips by hand.

Ragged holes in lower leaves, particularly on young plants after wet weather; slime trails confirm the culprit. Apply iron-phosphate pellets around the base. Use copper-tape barriers for potted plants. Hand-pick at night. Diatomaceous earth as a dry-weather deterrent around stems.

Adults skeletonise flower clusters and leaves, leaving only veins; can significantly reduce ornamental value of the large panicles during the flowering season. Hand-pick beetles into soapy water in the morning when sluggish. Avoid pheromone traps near prized plants — they attract more beetles than they catch. For heavy infestations, kaolin clay provides some deterrence.