What's eating my schoenoplectus tabernaemontani 'albescens'?

White bulrush ('Albescens') shares the same pest profile as other Schoenoplectus: reed beetles are the most consistent problem, scoring the pale-striped culms. Aphids appear on shoots in summer, and waterfowl pull at shallow crowns. Maintain water depth of at least 15 cm and divide clumps every two to three years to keep plants vigorous.

Pale longitudinal feeding grooves on culms; larvae hollow out submerged rhizome tissue, weakening the crown. Hand-pick adults; cut out and bin affected culms; annual division refreshes root vigour and reduces larval carry-over.

Colonies on emergent stems and inflorescences; sticky honeydew and sooty mould disfigure white variegation. Hose colonies into the water; fish eat dislodged aphids; avoid insecticides in the pond.

Culms grazed or uprooted in shallow water, particularly on freshly planted specimens. Use heavy baskets with gravel topdress; plant at 15–30 cm depth to limit access by wading birds.