Marianne's Response

Leaves turning brown and other leaves with holes

This was happening to my plants last year and I’m trying to stop it from destroying my plans this year. I have some shade ground cover that I want to take sections of and start and other shade areas and I noticed yesterday that the leaves are starting to turn brown like last year. Whatever is happening totally wiped out this beautiful groundcover last year but it came back this year and it was gorgeous and now it’s starting to wipe it out again . What is it and what do I do? Also my hosta is getting eaten up by something. Or my hosta has holes in the leaves and they too are getting wiped out. It’s just starting but I’m afraid they will be destroyed just like last year. Whats doing this and what do I do to stop it? There’s also one more plant in the same area that’s effected but all the hosta, no matter where it’s planted, is effected.

Posted by Christine Rose on July 12, 2018

Marianne's Response

From the photo I am going to guess that slugs and snails are eating the crown of your plants leaving brown leaves and also eating the leaves themselves leaving the holes. You may not see the slugs as they could be tiny slugs that hide in the soil during the day. I suggest you go out at night with a flashlight and catch them in the act. There are several very effective but pet safe slug baits available that will save your plants. When you garden in the shade slugs and snails are the most common pest. Hostas are by far the plant most preferred by slugs and snails. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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