What has eaten my astrantias?

miss_harmer

I have a very nature friendly approach to gardening and will allow any living creature to enjoy my garden, particularly slugs and snails. I did my research to ensure I didn’t plant anything that would be eaten overnight. Unfortunately returning from holiday my astrantias have been stripped bare to look like dried grass, the only reason I could identify the plants was their position. Has anyone had anything similar happen to them?  Was it slugs?

BobTheGardener

Astrantias are definitely prone to slugs, so that would be the most likely.

KT53

Surprised to hear they are slug favourites.  Mine haven't been touched.  Hopefully it stays that way.

Hazyb

Same here @KT53 my Astrantia are untouched. 

My recently bought Lobelia Cardinalis has been ravaged though as were some other plants here earlier in the year so there are plenty of slugs and snails in my garden. 

Beaus Mum

I don't think slugs. Probably dried out in all the sun or rabbits? Either way if you completely soak them, by tomorrow they will pick up.  Still not too late for their second flush of flowers either
good luck

Busy-Lizzie

Are you in the country? Deer ate mine. Slugs haven't touched them. Rabbits eat the same plants, more or less, as deer.

Lyn

Never had slug damage on Astrantias here.

AuntyRach

Mine are munched by slugs - put in a pot this year but still munched! If the plant is stripped bare though - maybe something bigger? 

miss_harmer

We live in a town so definitely not deer or rabbits. Nothing else died in the heat, they’ve definitely been munched. 

1634 Racine

Slugs/snails for sure.  It’s not #1 on their list but if there is nothing else they will strip astrantia.  Not true that they are slug proof