Coral bells (Heuchera) are popular perennial plants, prized for their vibrant, colorful foliage and delicate flower spikes. While hardy, these attractive plants can become a target for various garden creatures. Understanding what might be feeding on your coral bells is the first step toward protecting them and maintaining their beauty.
Common Pests and Their Damage
Slugs and snails are notorious for leaving irregular holes in leaves, often accompanied by a shiny, silvery slime trail. These mollusks are most active during damp conditions or at night.
Strawberry root weevils chew characteristic C-shaped notches in leaf margins. Their larvae, C-shaped white grubs, feed on the plant’s roots and crown underground. This root damage can lead to wilting, stunted growth, and a general decline in plant health, sometimes even causing the plant to break off at the crown.
Foliage-feeding caterpillars can also chew holes in leaves, skeletonize them, or consume entire sections. Sap-sucking insects like aphids congregate on the undersides of leaves and new growth. They extract plant sap, leading to distorted or curled leaves, yellowing, and stunted growth. Aphids also excrete honeydew, which promotes black sooty mold.
Larger Animals and Their Damage
Larger animals can also damage coral bells. Deer, although coral bells are not their primary food source, may browse on the plants, particularly when other food is scarce. Their feeding often results in ragged, torn leaves, and they can consume entire plants, especially the tender new growth in spring or early summer.
Rabbits typically make cleaner cuts on stems and leaves, usually closer to the ground. They often target young plants or new shoots, and their damage can be more noticeable during winter when other vegetation is less available.
Voles, which are small, mouse-like rodents, primarily damage the roots and crowns of plants. Their underground feeding causes sudden wilting, often apparent when the plant is easily pulled from the soil due to a compromised root system.
Identifying the Culprit
Observing your coral bells and their surroundings can help pinpoint the specific culprit. Check plants at different times of day; slugs and snails, for instance, are more visible at night or during moist weather, leaving slime trails on leaves or nearby surfaces.
Analyze the pattern of damage: irregular holes with slime suggest slugs or snails, while notched leaf margins point to adult weevils. Chewed leaves with frass (caterpillar droppings) indicate caterpillars. Distorted, sticky leaves or the presence of small, soft-bodied insects on the undersides of leaves are signs of aphids. For larger animals, consider the scale of the damage and look for tracks, droppings, or signs of browsing on other nearby plants. If plants suddenly wilt without obvious leaf damage, inspect the roots for grubs or vole tunnels.
Protecting Your Coral Bells
Maintaining healthy, vigorous coral bells through proper cultural practices can help them better withstand pest pressures. Provide well-draining soil rich in organic matter and ensure consistent moisture without overwatering. Healthy plants are generally more resilient to infestations.
Physical barriers can effectively deter larger animals and some small pests. Fencing can keep out deer and rabbits. Copper tape or a barrier of crushed eggshells around the plant base can deter slugs and snails. Netting or row covers can also protect plants from various insect pests.
For smaller pests, manual removal is often an effective first step; hand-picking slugs, snails, or caterpillars can reduce their populations. A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids from leaves. For persistent insect issues, consider applying insecticidal soap or neem oil, which are less toxic options that can control aphids, mealybugs, and some weevils by disrupting their feeding or life cycle. Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings can also help manage aphid populations naturally. Removing leaf litter and debris around plants reduces hiding spots for slugs and weevils.