Question
My pachysandra has never looked healthy, this being the 3rd summer after planting it.  Herbicide granules containing treflan were mixed in the soil at planting, then a 3 in. cedar mulch put around the plants.  It is in half sun, I water if dry.  Could it be treflan damage? I see just a few brown circles on mostly yellowing leaves.  Any help I'll greatly appreciate here in Indiana.  Thank you, Charlene

Answer
'Treflan should not be applied on ornamental groundcovers such as Ajuga, Myrtle and PACHYSANDRA as injury may result.'

Read it and weep: http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/msds/trifluralin.pamphlet.treflan.e.c.p...

That's the Dow AgroSciences Instruction Booklet for Treflan users.

Nobody ever reads these things.  It's not your fault.

University of Idaho posts a page on 'Herbicide Injury Symptoms in Sugar beets' (http://www.uidaho.edu/sugarbeet/weed/injury.htm) that should tell you you are not the only one wondering if Treflan is on the rampage.

Charlene, WHY is that stuff in your garage?

Did you see the long list of DANGER warnings the company put on the container -- they must do this by law because it's REALLY BAD for you.

The damage to your Pachysandra is the least of your problems.  What is it doing to your liver?

There is absolutely no reason in the world to use this stuff, Charlene.  You have to think intelligently about what the Dow Chemical Company is doing. Their stockholders are cleaning up, and you are putting a deadly chemical right there on your own real estate.

Don't be fooled.  You do not need to use anything like this.  There are easier, cheaper, safer ways to get rid of weeds and other uninvited plants.  Lose the chemicals.  Love your home.  If Adam and Eve did not need it, neither do you.

And THAT is the God's honest truth.

Thanks for writing.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  Throw that stuff away.