What's eating my yakushima rhododendron?

Yakushima Rhododendron faces vine weevil as the most serious pest, especially as it is frequently grown in containers. Rhododendron leafhopper vectors bud blast disease. Lace bugs bleach foliage in dry, sunny positions. As a compact alpine-origin species often in sheltered gardens, deer damage is less common but vine weevil vigilance is essential.

Characteristic notched leaf edges from adults; white grubs devastate roots in pots, causing sudden collapse Nematode drench with Steinernema kraussei in late summer; change container compost annually and inspect for grubs

Pale stippling on leaves; transmits bud blast fungus that turns flower buds black and bristly Remove blasted buds immediately; pyrethrin spray in late summer to reduce adults before egg-laying in buds

Yellowy mottled upper leaf surface; brown resinous spots on undersides where nymphs feed Spray undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; site plant in partial shade as lace bugs prefer sunny positions