What's eating my silver mound artemisia?

Silver Mound Artemisia is highly pest-resistant — its silvery aromatic foliage repels most insects. Aphids occasionally colonise new growth, and slugs may attack the low mounded stems in wet conditions. Spider mites appear during hot, dry spells. The biggest risk is crown rot in poorly drained soil, not insects.

Clusters on tender new shoots cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew; usually a minor, transient issue Knock off with a water jet; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; ladybirds and lacewings provide natural control

Irregular holes in the soft, feathery mounds, especially in spring or wet weather Improve drainage around the plant; apply iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night

Fine webbing and pale stippling on leaf surfaces; worst on plants under heat and drought stress Water the surrounding soil regularly in summer; spray with neem oil; good airflow reduces humidity that mites exploit