Having looked at all the affected stems again, I'm starting to think it may be slug/snail grazing damage to the stem. One really thick stem looks similar to how my lupins went when the slugs got to them.
The blackening/damage always appears to be local and not spreading which would possibly suggest grazing damage and not a fungal problem?
I've had a real problem with slugs/snails this year :-(
I think @wild edges is right that there's been damage, and then problems arise. I'd say it's also quite likely that slugs are having a gnaw at the stems. That's why I asked about the cut. They do root easily, so it's definitely worth sticking the bits you cut off into a pot.
We're never without huge numbers of slugs and snails here, but the plants still grow and flower well, even though some foliage is unsightly.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Slugs and snails were having a really good go at my Hylotelephium 'brilliant' group plants so they certainly do like them. The plants in question though are the 'herbstfreude' group and were previously untouched by the pests but it seems as though they've taken a liking to these too.
I've lost a couple of plants completely to slugs/snails this year, mainly coreopsis and a campanula, whilst I'm picking slugs off Nepeta, Salvia's, Dianthus and Campanula every night at present.
They certainly plough through plenty of foliage on mine every year - Autumn Joy, which is Herbstfreude. I'm afraid I just accept it - I'd never get rid of all the molluscs here. I gave up on many types of perennials donkey's years ago, because it's a losing battle. I'm asleep by the time it's dark, so I'm certainly not going out there every night hunting them! I don't find they touch any dianthus though.
The campanula known as the Scottish bluebell [rotundifolia] is very resistant, so you might want to try that. Mine are never eaten
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder] is quite good - I don't get slug trouble with them. Dicentras too. Heleniums get a bit of damage but they shrug it off if they're healthy. A very good plant for bees etc, is wild rocket. I grow it to eat, but if left to flower it gets a lot of attention. It also survives even severe winters, but it does seed around if it has the right site.
It grows in quite shady, cool spots too, although it flowers best in sun I have Agastache and Asters too, which both get left alone.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
The blackening/damage always appears to be local and not spreading which would possibly suggest grazing damage and not a fungal problem?
I've had a real problem with slugs/snails this year :-(
They do root easily, so it's definitely worth sticking the bits you cut off into a pot.
We're never without huge numbers of slugs and snails here, but the plants still grow and flower well, even though some foliage is unsightly.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've lost a couple of plants completely to slugs/snails this year, mainly coreopsis and a campanula, whilst I'm picking slugs off Nepeta, Salvia's, Dianthus and Campanula every night at present.
I'm afraid I just accept it - I'd never get rid of all the molluscs here. I gave up on many types of perennials donkey's years ago, because it's a losing battle. I'm asleep by the time it's dark, so I'm certainly not going out there every night hunting them!
I don't find they touch any dianthus though.
The campanula known as the Scottish bluebell [rotundifolia] is very resistant, so you might want to try that. Mine are never eaten
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I mainly plant for pollinators so if you know of any apparently resistant perennials, it'd be good to know!
Thanks.
A very good plant for bees etc, is wild rocket. I grow it to eat, but if left to flower it gets a lot of attention. It also survives even severe winters, but it does seed around if it has the right site.
It grows in quite shady, cool spots too, although it flowers best in sun
I have Agastache and Asters too, which both get left alone.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...