What's eating my swamp sunflower?

Swamp Sunflower thrives in wet sites where slugs and snails are especially active and can shred young foliage. Aphids and spider mites attack during summer dry spells. Deer browse the tall stems freely. Sunflower beetles may appear in late summer. Keeping crowns well-drained reduces slug pressure significantly.

Irregular holes in leaves and stems; silvery slime trails visible in the morning. Apply iron phosphate bait; hand-pick at dusk; reduce standing water and excess mulch near crowns.

Colonies of soft insects on stems and buds; sticky deposits, wilting shoot tips. Blast with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial insects with companion flowers.

Stems and foliage browsed, sometimes to the ground in late spring and summer. Use deer repellent sprays (reapply after rain) or install 1.8–2 m fencing around garden beds.