What's eating my tulipa 'ballerina'?

Tulipa 'Ballerina', a lily-flowered tulip, is most commonly threatened by bulb-eating squirrels and mice. Aphids colonise stems in spring, and slugs can damage tender emerging shoots. Deer will browse foliage and flowers in gardens near woodland edges. Good drainage and physical barriers are the primary defences.

Bulbs missing from the ground or half-eaten; no emergence where bulbs were planted Use planting cages made from half-inch galvanised wire mesh; plant in autumn and cover with wire until spring

Sticky foliage, distorted leaves, possible virus transmission leading to colour-breaking or streaked petals Insecticidal soap sprays; introduce or encourage natural predators; remove heavily infested material

Stems snapped or cleanly bitten off; flowers and upper foliage eaten, leaving ragged stumps Deer-repellent sprays applied to foliage; install temporary fencing around beds; plant deer-resistant neighbours as a barrier