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Do slugs and snails eat pansy and violas?

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  • I feel your pain. They have been rampant this year, and I lost count of how many trays of French marigolds I bought, only to have the stalks barely visible the next day.😰
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    The same here. Bought some nice yellow pansies to add a bit of colour and planted them out and the next day I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what was left. Just the stalk.  :(
  • newbie77newbie77 Posts: 1,838
    Yes that sinking feeling on seeing just bit of stalk next day. I had planted campanula thinking it should be safe, but no, most gone by next morning ☹️
    South West London
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It has been a bad year, though it seems it didn't start off that way in London. The slugs have even attacked my diascia this year, which I have never noticed before. And I've never had probs with dahlias in large high pots, but this year for the first time even the highest leaves are getting nobbled; not too badly, but still novel.

    Next year I am going to take a new slug tack. I have some new insights and potential tools to try from watching them closely this year. And some new things to try, suggested on the forum. I'm fairly sure that some approaches I am taking in the garden is making the situ worse at the moment.

  • Jac19Jac19 Posts: 496
    May I also ask a related questions please?  Do bees get nectar from pansies and violas?  
    Bees in my garden have not touched my cosmos this year.
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
    I regularly check under the pots and around the rims for slugs and snails; still they appear from nowhere and manage to eat the tender leaves. Once I found a huge slug nestling inside a pot at the base of the plant; sort of like taking rest under the shade :s
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • Yes!!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Jac19 said:
    May I also ask a related questions please?  Do bees get nectar from pansies and violas?  
    Bees in my garden have not touched my cosmos this year.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Campanulas are very prone to slug/snail attack unfortunately @newbie77.  Campanula rotundifolia [harebell] - often called the Scottish bluebell - is pretty resistant. I grow it here as it has connections for me, and it doesn't get touched. If you make sure plants are grown on until they're larger and stronger, they can cope much better.  :)

    The important thing for bees and other pollinators, is to have a succession of suitable planting. When they emerge early in the year [and that depends on your location] it's about having planting there that benefits them. The plants @Fire lists, are very good for that purpose. I'd add species tulips to the list too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    I grew French marigolds from seed this year with the specific intention of them being sacrificed to the Brians and Cyrils. It's definitely been a success but I will need to grow more next year! As they seem to prefer them, they'll leave other plants alone and decimate the marigolds instead.

    Alongside that, I can recommend late night/early morning patrols. In the right conditions, you can apprehend dozens of the little beggars ;)
    East Lancs
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