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

Panicle Hydrangea 'Pinky Winky' shares the same pest pressures as other paniculatas. Japanese beetles are the most damaging, skeletonizing leaves mid-summer. Aphids attack new shoot tips, and rose chafer beetles feed on flowers. Deer will browse blooms in rural settings. Early morning hand-picking of beetles is the most effective first response.

Skeletonized leaves with only the veins intact; shiny beetles clustered on foliage and flower heads Hand-pick into soapy water each morning during the June–August flight period. Apply neem oil or pyrethrin spray for large infestations.

Curled, sticky shoot tips; yellow or pale distorted new growth; honeydew leads to sooty mold Strong water jet dislodges colonies. Follow with insecticidal soap if they return within a few days.

Flowers and young leaves chewed; pale tan beetles with long spiny legs present late spring to early summer Hand-pick and drop into soapy water. Pyrethrin-based spray where hand-picking is impractical.