Pest identification
What's eating my penstemon 'stapleford gem'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in leaves and destruction of overwintering basal shoots; worst in damp conditions
Control: Mulch crowns with horticultural grit; use iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on soft shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew residue and distorted new leaves
Control: Pinch out heavily infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial insects
Caterpillars
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves and flower buds; frass droppings left on foliage
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestations are heavy
Keep penstemon 'stapleford gem' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem' pests — FAQ
What is eating my penstemon 'stapleford gem'?
Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem' faces slugs on young growth, aphids on shoot tips, and occasional caterpillar damage. In mild winters, slugs are the most destructive pest, devouring overwintering rosettes. Protect crowns with grit mulch and use iron phosphate slug controls as plants re-emerge in spring.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on penstemon 'stapleford gem'?
Holes in leaves and destruction of overwintering basal shoots; worst in damp conditions Mulch crowns with horticultural grit; use iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night
How do I get rid of aphids on penstemon 'stapleford gem'?
Colonies on soft shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew residue and distorted new leaves Pinch out heavily infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial insects
How do I get rid of caterpillars on penstemon 'stapleford gem'?
Irregular holes in leaves and flower buds; frass droppings left on foliage Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestations are heavy