Question
My husband and I planted a large garden of several perennials including forsythias and butterfly bushes as well as some smaller plants.  The problem is that it is a rather large area and weed control is a problem.  Is there any product that we might be able to use to spray such a large area that would not kill the perennials?

Answer
Hi Sharon,
Thanx for your question.  Preen is an application easily found in most DIYs and Walmart, Kmart, etc.  It only controls weeds though, from seed and does not control already established perennial weeds.  Over the Top will control grasses,

http://wsprod.colostate.edu/cwis487/hup/LabelFiles/Fertilome.2217-854-7401.FLOve...

One way I use to control weeds is a thick mulch of cypress mulch or composted leaves.  The bark mulch looks much better though.  You can use round up in a small cup and apply it to unwanted leaves with a small paint brush or sponge.  Wear gloves you don't continuously expose your skin to the Roundup.

Look for products with glyphosate.  Com-Pleet is one of the brands that is supposedly rated for use around flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs.

I hope this helps.

Tom