Groundcover - Weeds
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  Last summer, we moved into a new house, and planted Vinca and jasmine as ground cover on a hill in front of our house. Since that time, large weeds with leaves approximately l-2" in diameter have begun to grow in the spaces between the Vinca and jasmine. We have poisoned the weeds twice, carefully avoiding the groundcover. However, the weeds have continued to grow not die, so I have 3 questions: If the winter weather kills the weeds, what can we do to keep the weeds from coming back in the spring? And what can we use that will not also kill the Vinca and jasmine? What can we do to promote growth of the groundcover?

  If the weeds are broadleaf weeds, there is no post-emergent spray that will kill the weeds without damaging the groundcover. If you know what the weeds are, you could determine whether they are annual weeds or perennials. Annuals can be controlled with a pre-emergent herbicide such as Surflan. If they come back this year, take a sample to your county extension office. Fertilize your groundcover this spring when new growth begins with a high nitrogen fertilizer to help it fill in more quickly.

  I need help! My ajuga ground cover is being taken over by clover. When I try to pull up the clover, it also pulls up the ajuga. Is there anything I can use to kill the clover without harming the ground cover.

  My iris beds have a lot of wild violets in them. Is there a spray that I can use that won’t harm my iris?

  Unfortunately, there is nothing that will kill either clover or wild violets without damaging the existing plants. Anything that would kill clover would also kill your ajuga, and wild violets are difficult to control by themselves. Careful weeding is all that I can recommend. In the iris beds, if they need renovation, they could be lifted, the weeds killed and then the iris replanted.

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