Question
hi!
This year, for the first time, I see lily-of-the-valley plants invading and overwhelming my long-established bed of pachysandra and vinca.
How do I get rid of the lily? I've been told that if I try Weed Begone or another like it, it will kill the packy and vinca as well.
Any suggestions?

Answer
Lily of the Valley is not usually considered an invasive species, Chris.

These need moisture and shade to grow.  I'm guessing they get plenty of that in your Pachysandra/Vinca patch.

Best plan of action is to thin out your Pachysandra and top dress the soil while pulling out the long underground roots -- which will not be hard to find.  These are not weeds.

You can do a thorough job much easier than if you were yanking out, say, English Ivy.  Then, I'd say you have a problem.  Not impossible, but a headache.  You don't want to save this job for a June heat wave.

Weed B Gon is a strong, toxic product.  You should not have it in the garage.  Anything it does, boiling water or butane torches can do better, faster, safer and cheaper.

You can try a butane torch on the Lilies -- they are more pronounced than the other plants and will be easy to reach -- but take caution you don't set the whole place on fire.  You did not mention where you are writing from.  This is an easy way to eliminate weeds from Bluestone and between Flagstones, too.

Let me know how it goes.  Thanks for writing.  Happy Memorial Day.