Multiple Q's - Aphids, Plant ID And your recommendations...

Hi all,

Hope everyone managed to spend some quality time in their gardens this weekend.

I did, and found these little critters swarming all over my lupin. They don't seem to be harming it, and they haven't spread to the pots which are immediately surrounding it. Question is, how much damage can they cause?



Secondly, whilst cleaning the general debris and detritus from around the conservatory I notice this...



Any clues as to what it is?

On that note, I'm planning on establishing some beds around the conservatory and I am looking to plant some shrubbery, which is evergreen, that is either pretty to look at or fragrant. One side ggets Sun until about 13:00 whereas the other is generally shaded. Soil is relatively neutral and fairly free draining. Can't get higher than 1metre. Any ideas??

Many thanks in advance!!

Cheers, Paul.

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Hi Paul,
Your mystery plant is Soloman's Seal (Polygonatum).
There are two approaches to controlling aphids....zap them with a contact or systemic insecticide or wait for the ladybirds/lacewings /wasps to clear them up. Apart from weakening the plant by sucking it's sap, they leave a sticky black residue and transmit virus diseases.
For small, evergreen shrubs....how about hebes, daphnes, lavender and cistus?

 

For the small shrubs I would go for dwarf lavender or hebes

or maybe dwarf buddleia

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Got me some lavender, hebe and genista lovely mixed colours!

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The "little critters" are lupin aphids and are enormous for aphids. They can and will destroy your lupin quickly. Remove as soon as spotted, do not wait, even if this means wiping off with finger and thumb. Then go for an organic insecticide or plain old soapy water.

 

According to the RHS website ladybirds aren't keen on lupin aphids. Squashing them between your fingers is messy but will quickly get them back to manageable numbers if you don't want to spray.

 

Cheers for the info guys. Found a website that had recipes for homemade pesticides involving cayenne pepper. Knocked some up and sprayed the little blighters. Some seemed to die on contact!! Fingers crossed I got them all!

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Oooh whats the link to that website i would love to check it out?

 

http://www.paystolivegreen.com/make-your-own-homeade-pesticides-and-repellants/

Here you go! Seems to be doing the job so far...

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Thank you :-) would be great if you could give us an update on its effectiveness

 

Sure thing... More pics in a few days


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Well, 24 hours after spraying the homemade pesticide here are the results...



...all dead!! There was a bit of what looks like leaf scorching, but this was where the little critters had started to chew the leaves.

Overall I'm very impressed!!!!!

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That does look very effective. I may have to copy u

 

It certainly seemed to work... And no chemical nasties!!

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Yeh thats really appealing to be i try to use minimal chemicals so i tend to kill weeds with boiling water