Pest identification
What's eating my rose campion?
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies can form on flower stems and buds during the growing season; leaves may show distortion and sticky honeydew residue.
Control: Remove with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil for persistent infestations; encourage natural predators.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Rarely a serious problem due to the hairy leaves, but young seedlings before foliage matures can be nibbled in very wet conditions.
Control: Use ferric phosphate pellets around seedlings and newly planted specimens; risk drops sharply once plants are established.
Keep rose campion pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Rose campion pests — FAQ
What is eating my rose campion?
Rose campion is exceptionally trouble-free thanks to its densely felted silver-grey foliage, which deters slugs, deer, and most sap-sucking insects. Aphids are the only pest that occasionally visits in any numbers, clustering on the flower stems. Established plants are rarely seriously harmed by insects and are broadly considered one of the most pest-resistant garden perennials.
How do I get rid of aphids on rose campion?
Small colonies can form on flower stems and buds during the growing season; leaves may show distortion and sticky honeydew residue. Remove with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil for persistent infestations; encourage natural predators.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on rose campion?
Rarely a serious problem due to the hairy leaves, but young seedlings before foliage matures can be nibbled in very wet conditions. Use ferric phosphate pellets around seedlings and newly planted specimens; risk drops sharply once plants are established.