What's eating my wherry's foamflower?

Wherry's Foamflower is a relatively pest-resistant woodland native, but black vine weevil is its most serious threat — larvae destroy roots and can kill the plant. Slugs nibble young foliage and foliar nematodes may cause browning patches between leaf veins. Protecting roots from vine weevil larvae is the highest-priority pest action.

Adults leave small, U-shaped notches around leaf margins; larvae bore through roots and the crown, causing sudden wilting and plant death Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; check for adults at night and remove by hand; avoid overhead watering which aids larval survival

Irregular holes in young leaves and developing flower stems; young plants can be stripped at the base Set beer traps at soil level; hand-pick at dusk; apply iron phosphate bait around clumps in spring and after periods of rain

Angular, discolored patches between leaf veins that yellow then turn brown; damage spreads by water splash — no effective chemical treatment Remove and destroy affected plants immediately; avoid wetting foliage when watering; do not compost affected material; source replacement plants from reputable clean stock