What's eating my smooth beardtongue?

Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon laevigatus) is an eastern US native that is generally easy to grow. Aphids are the most common nuisance on new growth, slugs and snails can damage seedlings, and deer will browse the tall flower stems. Excellent drainage and open planting sites reduce pest and disease pressure significantly.

Clusters on new shoots and buds; leaf curl, sticky deposits, and possible sooty mold. Dislodge with a firm water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if colonies return.

Holes chewed in lower leaves of young plants; silvery mucus trails on soil and foliage. Use iron phosphate pellets; avoid thick mulch around the crown; hand-pick after dark.

Flower stalks nipped or fully consumed, especially in semi-shaded woodland garden settings. Spray with commercial deer repellent; cage individual plants during peak browsing seasons.