Pest identification
What's eating my physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft insects on new shoot tips; honeydew and sooty mould may follow.
Control: Spray with a strong jet of water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
Leaf-rolling caterpillars
Signs: Leaves rolled into tubes with silk; distorted and browning foliage where larvae feed inside.
Control: Remove and destroy rolled leaves by hand; Bt spray if widespread.
Rabbits
Signs: Bark chewed from base of young stems in winter, risking girdling.
Control: Fit tree spiral guards or chicken-wire cylinders around stems to 60 cm.
Keep physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' pests — FAQ
What is eating my physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'?
'Summer Wine' ninebark shares the genus's strong pest resistance. Aphids are the most likely nuisance on new burgundy growth in spring. Leaf-rolling caterpillars can occasionally web and roll foliage. Rabbits strip bark in winter on young plants. Overall, it's one of the lower-maintenance shrubs for pest management.
How do I get rid of aphids on physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'?
Clusters of soft insects on new shoot tips; honeydew and sooty mould may follow. Spray with a strong jet of water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
How do I get rid of leaf-rolling caterpillars on physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'?
Leaves rolled into tubes with silk; distorted and browning foliage where larvae feed inside. Remove and destroy rolled leaves by hand; Bt spray if widespread.
How do I get rid of rabbits on physocarpus opulifolius 'summer wine'?
Bark chewed from base of young stems in winter, risking girdling. Fit tree spiral guards or chicken-wire cylinders around stems to 60 cm.