I have a lovely purple-leaf plum shrub in front of my house. Last year, something ate little patterns in all the leaves and all but killed it. I assumed it was aphids, but I tried ladybugs to no avail. I'd like to avoid that problem this year. Has anyone else dealt with this, and what have you done? I'd hate to have to resort to herbicide, especially since it's right next to my Russian sage which attracts a lot of bees.

Thanks...

Ann (Philly)