What's eating my white skunk cabbage?

White skunk cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) is largely pest-resistant due to its unpleasant scent, but slugs and snails are the main threat to emerging spathes and leaves in spring. Aphids occasionally colonise new growth. In UK garden settings, waterfowl and deer may browse tender shoots.

Irregular holes and ragged edges on young spathes and leaves, especially in spring; slime trails visible on foliage and soil. Apply iron phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe) around crowns; use copper tape on raised beds; hand-pick at night; encourage ground beetles by mulching less densely.

Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth causing leaf curl, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould on upper leaf surfaces. Knock off with a strong water jet; introduce ladybirds or lacewing larvae; apply insecticidal soap only if infestation is heavy.

Browsing of emergent spathes and young foliage in late winter to spring, leaving torn or completely missing shoots. Fence boggy planting areas where practical; plant in deeper water (30 cm+) where deer cannot easily reach; physical barriers around seedlings.