I posted a comment in the weeds podcast, but here is a picture. This agressive thing with runners is taking over my perennial garden. If consists of mainly prairie plants with dome bulbs thrown in. Is the only option to rip it out?

If you are careful, you might be able to kill it with herbicides without damaging too many of your other plants. Otherwise, it is going to be extremely difficult to control.

Other than irises , my flower gardens consist almost entirely of native prairie and woodland plants. But, I've learned the hard way that some of them aren't very suitable for small spaces. They need room to roam. The rhizomatous species, in particular, deserve careful consideration before planting.

The rhizomatous species, in particular, deserve careful consideration before planting.[/quote]

Yeah, that was definitely a beginner's mistake. I had no idea I started out with about 10 plants five years ago. I am very hesitant to use weed killer.

Thanks for your thoughts!

As an alternative to chemical herbicide - at this time of year when the sun's getting more intense, you could try spreading clear plastic (painters drop sheets) over the infested areas and letting the sun burn the tops. You may have to do it a few times, but if you keep killing the leaves, the roots will eventually give up.

Up there in MN your other plants could benefit from the extra warming the plastic will give the soil, too.

@dyzzpyxxy Thanks. Most of my perennials are up right now. Should I still do it?

We discovered this one by accident when we uncovered a small raised bed and set aside a large pane of glass. Placing glass over the unwanted vegetation will kill most anything in a few weeks..

Reid, if you can spread and weight the plastic only to cover the Artemesia plants, and leave the perennials uncovered, that will work. Don't cover the foliage on anything you don't want killed.

The clear plastic does the same thing as greene's pane of glass, (only it's flexible). Cooks the top growth. Do it on a clear, sunny day, leave it on for a day or two, then remove so you can water the other plants. When the burnt plants start regenerating, put the plastic on for another day. Repeat as necessary. Don't leave it on.

It will be a pain for a few weeks, but worth it and cheaper than a chemical solution, I think.

Thanks everyone. I will wait until I know where all of my perennials are, and then put down plastic.