What's eating my sinomiyama toad lily?

Sinomiyama Toad Lily (Tricyrtis macrantha subsp. macranthopsis), a yellow-flowered Japanese species, shares the genus's pest vulnerabilities. Slugs are the primary danger to spring shoots, and rabbits will browse the plant readily. Aphids can transmit a disfiguring floral virus. Beyond spring slug protection, this species is relatively low-maintenance.

Spring shoots eaten at soil level before they can establish; ragged holes in leaves during the growing season. Scatter iron phosphate pellets as soon as new growth appears. Beer traps and diatomaceous earth provide supplementary control in damp seasons.

Stems, foliage, and flower buds browsed; repeatedly grazed plants produce stunted growth and rarely flower. Surround with wire mesh or chicken-wire hoops. Physical barriers are more reliable than repellent sprays, especially in areas with high rabbit pressure.

Colonies on stems and shoot tips; spread of Tricyrtis floral virus causes mottled or fully discolored blooms with no cure. Remove aphids with water jet or insecticidal soap promptly. Destroy virus-showing plants by binning — never compost infected material.