What's eating my valentine bleeding heart?

Valentine Bleeding Heart is deer and rabbit resistant. Aphids are the most common pest, attacking the soft spring growth. Slugs may chew leaves in damp conditions. Scale insects occasionally infest stems. All are straightforward to manage with soap sprays, hand-picking, or slug pellets. Plants die back naturally in summer heat.

Soft distorted growth tips; sticky honeydew residue on leaves and stems; visible colonies of green or black insects Dislodge with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage natural predators by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides

Ragged holes chewed through leaves; silvery slime trails on foliage and surrounding soil, especially after rain Hand-pick at dusk; set beer traps; apply iron phosphate pellets around clumps; reduce mulch depth near the crown

Waxy tan or brown bumps fixed to stems; plants weakened, leaves yellowing; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mould Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil to smother crawlers; treat in late spring when crawlers are active