I haven't grown all of those but my slugs certainly eat aquilegia - the flowers, not the leaves - hellebore, campanulas, hydrangeas, nasturtiums and foxgloves. And almost every other living thing.
Aquilegia and foxgloves self seed here so I don’t worry about them. Hydrangea is also big enough to look after itself. I have a medium sized slug problem and just snip them if I see them but there’s plenty more there. They demolished my sunflowers though.
Yes, they are Spanish slugs - Mediterranean, rather than specifically Spanish, and were brought in on imported plants. They are a real menace, especially to commercial growers and seem to be spreading throughout the country. They have no natural enemies - except me!
If you want a quick fix for this year Zinnias would probably fit the bill. Once past the seed leaf stage they don't seem to be touched by anything except loads of bees, and they tolerate dry soil.
Thank you. I will get those and stick some ox eye daisies and calendula and alyssum and see how if it looks better. Semi wild but can be maintained by pulling out easily.
I'm always going to recommend woody salvias, lol! Lavender too, mine love stony soil and heat. Aquilegia will grow anywhere and self seed, love them. Penstemon will also be OK in a dryer bed, as will the bushy phloxes.
antirrhinums ( snapdragons if I've spelt that wrong) seem to be left alone by slugs here, but 'my' slugs seem to like nasturtiums even though they are supposed to be slug resistant. I'm slightly surprised if its that dry a spot that you have a big slug problem though.
@Desi_in_London - the slugs are hiding in the logs stacked around near there when the trees got chopped and there’s rough large pieces of bark there, again great hiding places when it’s too sunny but they all come out to feed. I will clear it to the compost area which will help. I have snapdragons so will give them a try there.
@Slow-worm good idea about shrubby salvias, I do have some which I can put there along with the lavender- will add it to my notes.
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Lavender too, mine love stony soil and heat.
Aquilegia will grow anywhere and self seed, love them.
Penstemon will also be OK in a dryer bed, as will the bushy phloxes.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
@Slow-worm good idea about shrubby salvias, I do have some which I can put there along with the lavender- will add it to my notes.
astrantia is still on my to buy list @raisingirl