asiatic beetles are a pain, sorry to hear you have them. I didn't want to spray anything so I ended up going out there with a pail of soapy water, picking them off and dropping them in the water to drown. It's a bit on the strange side to be out there in the dark going over your plants with a flashlight, but..... the neighbors will talk and there's always that awkward run in with an evening dog walker, but it seemed to control them enough. I heard someone suggest Surround, which is a clay based spray that's supposed to work... there are plenty of other sprays with chemicals that should work too but I've never gotten that serious about control. Maybe someone else has better ideas.

Thanks for your responses- I thought maybe I was doing something wrong or maybe my cats were watering them too! They have been known to do that to several of my plants every now and again. I lost a Carnaby clematis to their constant spraying in that area! Go figure; 2 males and both fixed and they still spray. This began when we adopted the younger one from a shelter. He had been on the streets since he was a kitten and only has the use of 3 legs as he had a broken pelvis. He is also missing alot of teeth due to abuse. WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?? After going through hell as a kitten, you couldn't find a more loving cat. We are blessed to have him! I am going to cut down the dirty looking plumes one of these days. Thanks again, suebot in CT

Lotus are much tougher than I used to think. I have divided plenty of them after they broke dormacy and not had a problem. I usually get at least 10 new plants, and all start sending up new growth of their own within a week or so. This year, I divided mine a few days before that freak cold snap. I just covered the buckets with landscape fabric and I didn't lose a single one of them. Temps were in the low 20°'s.

think outside your box ... that spirea could be tamed .. i believe some peeps cut them near the ground every year ... though you dont have to go that far .. and to be clear.. i would not shear it or give it a haircut.. i would hand prune it .... otherwise.. your As look fine .. dont directly compare children.. they just arent necessarily duplicates of each other ... in this case.. i suspect a root mass difference.. for whatever reason.. but since besides being a bit smaller.. its not worth digging it up to look at the the roots or what shrub roots are under it ... all that said.. move in spring or fall .. when nights get cool or cold again ... i would say.. just about NEVER move anything in the heat of summer. aka july and augusst ... unless you just have to for other reasons ... or you live in say the PNW ... where 'when' just doesnt matter ... ken.