What's eating my queen of night tulip?

Queen of Night, a tall dark-maroon single late tulip, shares all typical tulip pest threats: squirrels and rodents dig up bulbs, slugs damage emerging shoots and petals, and aphids risk spreading tulip breaking virus. Its dark colour makes bird peck-damage harder to see. Protect bulbs in autumn and shoots in early spring.

Bulbs excavated and eaten after planting; emerging shoots may also be nibbled to ground level. Chicken-wire mesh pegged flat over beds; bulb cages; repeat-check beds in November and December.

Holes in petals and leaves; in wet springs damage can be severe on tall stems that bend, exposing lower petals. Iron-phosphate pellets at first shoot emergence; grit mulch; evening patrols with a torch.

Colonies on stems and under leaves; honeydew and sooty mould; risk of tulip breaking virus causing colour streaks. Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; remove and destroy plants showing virus streaking; do not compost infected material.

Petals pecked or pulled off, particularly on exposed tall flowers; damage most common at bud-break. Loose net or fleece over buds; iridescent ribbon deterrents; plant in sheltered spots less accessible to birds.