What's eating my yakushima rhododendron 'yaku princess'?

Yakushima Rhododendron 'Yaku Princess' is a compact, low-growing rhododendron especially vulnerable to vine weevil, which notches its fuzzy leaves and destroys its shallow root system. Rhododendron lace bugs bleach the foliage in sunny spots. In US gardens, rhododendron borer can kill whole stems. The woolly coating on young leaves naturally deters some pests.

Scalloped notches on leaf margins; larvae in soil cause wilting, crown rot, and plant death Drench with beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late summer. Inspect soil around wilting plants for white grubs immediately.

Upper leaf surface becomes pale and bleached; dark excrement on leaf undersides Spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to undersides of leaves in late spring. Site in partial shade to reduce re-infestation.

Sudden wilting of one or more branches; frass or entry holes visible at the base of affected stems Remove and destroy infested stems. Apply preventive permethrin spray to bark in early spring when adult moths are laying eggs.