Pest identification
What's eating my sugar and spice tiarella?
Black vine weevil
Signs: Adults cut characteristic U-shaped notches in leaf margins; larvae feed underground on roots and crowns, causing sudden plant death
Control: Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to warm, moist soil in August–September; inspect crowns of wilting plants for white, C-shaped larvae; hand-pick adults at night
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in the soft, lobed leaves; damage worst in spring and after rainfall; slime trails confirm activity
Control: Scatter iron phosphate bait around plants preventatively in spring; use beer traps or copper tape barriers; hand-pick after dark when slugs are most active
Foliar nematodes
Signs: Angular brown or yellow patches between leaf veins, spreading via water splash to neighboring plants; no chemical cure available
Control: Remove and destroy all infected plant material immediately; water at the base; improve spacing for airflow; source new plants from reputable clean stock
Keep sugar and spice tiarella pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sugar and Spice Tiarella pests — FAQ
What is eating my sugar and spice tiarella?
Sugar and Spice Tiarella is a popular, free-flowering cultivar that shares the genus's main vulnerabilities. Black vine weevil larvae are the most damaging pest, killing plants by destroying roots without visible above-ground warning. Slugs attack young foliage. Foliar nematodes cause angular browning. A late-summer nematode soil drench is the most effective single protective measure.
How do I get rid of black vine weevil on sugar and spice tiarella?
Adults cut characteristic U-shaped notches in leaf margins; larvae feed underground on roots and crowns, causing sudden plant death Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to warm, moist soil in August–September; inspect crowns of wilting plants for white, C-shaped larvae; hand-pick adults at night
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on sugar and spice tiarella?
Ragged holes in the soft, lobed leaves; damage worst in spring and after rainfall; slime trails confirm activity Scatter iron phosphate bait around plants preventatively in spring; use beer traps or copper tape barriers; hand-pick after dark when slugs are most active
How do I get rid of foliar nematodes on sugar and spice tiarella?
Angular brown or yellow patches between leaf veins, spreading via water splash to neighboring plants; no chemical cure available Remove and destroy all infected plant material immediately; water at the base; improve spacing for airflow; source new plants from reputable clean stock