Pest identification
What's eating my penstemon 'garnet'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and ragged edges in young leaves; shoot tips stripped; slime trails present
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets; grit mulch around stems; hand-pick after dark or on wet evenings
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on soft shoot tips and flower buds; honeydew, wilting growing points
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; use yellow sticky traps nearby
Vine weevil
Signs: Root damage causing sudden wilting; container plants most at risk over winter
Control: Nematode soil drench in late summer; repot and inspect roots each spring; remove any grubs by hand
Keep penstemon 'garnet' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Penstemon 'Garnet' pests — FAQ
What is eating my penstemon 'garnet'?
Penstemon 'Garnet' is attacked mainly by slugs and snails on new growth, and by leaf and bud nematodes (Aphelenchoides) causing distorted or browned foliage in damp conditions. Aphids and mealybugs may colonize soft shoot tips. In colder areas, vine weevil can damage roots of overwintering clumps.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on penstemon 'garnet'?
Holes and ragged edges in young leaves; shoot tips stripped; slime trails present Ferric phosphate pellets; grit mulch around stems; hand-pick after dark or on wet evenings
How do I get rid of aphids on penstemon 'garnet'?
Clusters on soft shoot tips and flower buds; honeydew, wilting growing points Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; use yellow sticky traps nearby
How do I get rid of vine weevil on penstemon 'garnet'?
Root damage causing sudden wilting; container plants most at risk over winter Nematode soil drench in late summer; repot and inspect roots each spring; remove any grubs by hand