Question From: K. Tripp - Allegan, Michigan, United States
Q: I have a shady yard with large tree borders with myrtle and lily of the valley... and many other unwelcomed weeds vines etc. popping up each year... it is out of control...… I had poision ivy and have sprayed that... but the lily of the valley are taking over everything, and although I like them, I wanted to have sections of just myrtle, which is disappearing and lily of the valley are popping up through out the myrtle, I try to dig out the lily of valley each year in the middle of myrtle, it breaks off with out root on a lot of them, and is never ending if not worse... I don't know how to get a handle on this... and also the other multitude of everything else popping up is also something that I don't seem to be able to get a handle on, and have a nice myrtle boarder around the trees... I don't know what to do.. how to control it all... can you give me some good clear direction to have a structured myrtle area?? Thank you.
A: Sorry to say your best bet is to take out everything and start all over. Spraying the area with Roundup will kill all the plants, but it probably will take more than a single application, Next spring, if no plants emerge replant with myrtle. Otherwise hit it again with Roundup. Covering the area with black plastic will also work but you will have to leave it in place for several months. Good Luck and Happy Yardening, Nancy.
