What's eating my polystichum makinoi?

Polystichum makinoi (Makino's holly fern) is a garden fern from East Asia. Slugs and snails are its most frequent pest, feeding on soft emerging fronds in spring. Vine weevil larvae can be destructive in container cultivation. Mature fronds with their firm texture are less susceptible; deer rarely bother with this tough species.

Irregular holes and chewed edges on new croziers and soft young fronds; slime trails. Use ferric phosphate pellets around the crown at bud-break; set out beer traps; clear leaf litter that provides daytime shelter.

Notched frond edges (adult); white grubs demolish the root crown causing sudden plant death. Apply predatory nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in moist conditions above 5 °C; use a systemic vine weevil drench in pots.

Colonies on young frond stems; sticky honeydew and occasional sooty mold. Knock off with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; rely on natural predators for ongoing control.