Pest identification
What's eating my spiraea nipponica 'snowmound'?
Spiraea aphid (Aphis spiraecola)
Signs: Pale green colonies massed on shoot tips; sticky honeydew residue; distorted and curled new leaves
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune infested shoot tips; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Spiraea leaf roller caterpillar
Signs: Leaves rolled and webbed together; caterpillar feeding inside causes browned, ragged foliage
Control: Hand-pick and destroy rolled leaves; apply Bt spray at caterpillar stage; remove old foliage debris in autumn
Japanese beetle
Signs: Skeletonized leaves with intact veins; adults feed in groups on upper foliage in July–August
Control: Hand-pick in early morning; apply neem oil as deterrent spray; treat surrounding soil/lawn with milky spore
Keep spiraea nipponica 'snowmound' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound' pests — FAQ
What is eating my spiraea nipponica 'snowmound'?
Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound' is primarily attacked by spiraea aphids clustering on new shoots in spring. Leaf roller caterpillars may web foliage, and Japanese beetles skeletonize leaves in summer. This cultivar's vigorous, dense habit means slug and snail damage to new growth can occur at the base in wet conditions.
How do I get rid of spiraea aphid (aphis spiraecola) on spiraea nipponica 'snowmound'?
Pale green colonies massed on shoot tips; sticky honeydew residue; distorted and curled new leaves Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune infested shoot tips; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
How do I get rid of spiraea leaf roller caterpillar on spiraea nipponica 'snowmound'?
Leaves rolled and webbed together; caterpillar feeding inside causes browned, ragged foliage Hand-pick and destroy rolled leaves; apply Bt spray at caterpillar stage; remove old foliage debris in autumn
How do I get rid of japanese beetle on spiraea nipponica 'snowmound'?
Skeletonized leaves with intact veins; adults feed in groups on upper foliage in July–August Hand-pick in early morning; apply neem oil as deterrent spray; treat surrounding soil/lawn with milky spore