My Gladioli - which has a bud but I am not sure it will bloom given the state of the plant. ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) My Hollyhocks ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) and my daylilies ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) [/img]
I would guess slugs or snails. I have had similar presentations and actually caught some snails AND some slugs in the act one evening late. It was a scary sight--one little patch was literally crawling with the little beasts.
the hollyhocks are very susceptible to flea beetles. They are very tiny beetles, hopping quickly like a flea. they are hard to see because they move so fast. the damage on your leaves looks like they have been there.
For your Hollyhocks and Lily's I would give the credit to snails, slugs and earwigs. The Iris, however, with those brown streaks down the leaf, I am wondering it that is damage from the Iris borer.
There are so many things that can cause this type of damage I'm afraid. In my garden it tends to be earwigs out front and snails and slugs on my land at the back of the cottage. I hope you can find out what is doing it to your plants and can eradicate whatever it is before they destroy everything.
For the slugs, snails and earwigs you can sprinkle diatomecious earth around and on your plants for effective control and no pesticides. Copper makes and excellent barrier also. I have heard of using old copper water line or even real copper pennies around your beds. You can buy copper strips to pin down around your plants. I imagine that can get kind of pricey though.
Looks like you are in for some night time detective work. Bring along a good flashlight. Several visits over a few nights may account for the hungry hoard. I am a bit surprised at the daylily damage as they are not susceptible to too many garden pests. The snails and slugs, if you find them, would like a beer party with a dish of beer. You will find them head down in the stuff come morning. Jerry
If it's earwigs, you can mix molasses with some water and vegetable oil and put it in shallow containers in the areas where there is damage. In the morning you can empty them out into the trash. Also, during the day, look under rocks or wood or logs or your garden border. They hide under these during the daylight hours. Be ready though because they scatter fast when uncovered. dooley
My hollyhocks looked exactly like that. I sprinkled Sevin at the base of each plant. I know it's not organic but I was desperate!
