What's eating my tulipa 'menton'?

Tulips are heavily targeted by squirrels and mice digging up bulbs, and by deer and rabbits eating shoots and flowers in spring. Aphids can infest stems. Tulip fire (Botrytis) is the key disease threat. Use wire-mesh bulb cages and repellent sprays to protect these large Single Late blooms.

Bulbs are dug up and eaten, or partially eaten and left to rot; entire planted areas can be emptied overnight. Plant bulbs under a layer of chicken wire; use mesh bulb cages; apply chilli-powder deterrent around planting sites.

Flower buds and young shoots are bitten cleanly off at stem level in early spring. Install wire fencing around beds; apply deer repellent spray; use physical guards on individual emerging shoots.

Colonies on stems and undersides of leaves; can transmit tulip-breaking virus, which causes streaked, distorted flowers. Remove by hand or spray with insecticidal soap; control ants that farm aphids; remove and dispose of virus-affected bulbs.