i wonder if you could douse them with a relatively strong force of water from a hose. Then check them tomorrow, repeat if nec. Those leaves are stout enough to take it, usually.

Aphids will seldom kill plants. But they can do a lot of damage, reducing vigor and disfiguring or contorting foliage. Knocking them off with a strong stream of water is the first line of defense as noted above but be vigilant as they can return. Insecticidal soap will also kill them with little collateral damage to any beneficials.

Importing ladybugs/ladybeetles is seldom effective as they almost immediately fly off for other parts. But if they are around anyway - and they usually are - then they will find the aphids.

"the garden is a not a disney cartoon" ... go watch some slow-motion praying mantis videos on YouTube and you'll know what's up

matt, aphids are pretty easy to control by simply spraying them off with plain water, and/or squishing with your fingers. They multiply rapidly, so you will need to repeat this treatment occasionally.

BE OBSERVANT. That's a very bad infestation of aphids; don't let it get to that point!

Well yesterday "the law" showed up to that plant... I hadn't done anything to the aphids... it was like the killing fields out here - I pretty much saw one ladybug per leaf. Today, no sign of aphids. Unbelievable