You might have to resort to Round-up, sorry to say :( They can be pretty tough to get rid of. You can dab round-up on new growth as soon as you see it, or if it's feasible, cover the "good" plants with buckets and spray. OR, you can dig out all the good plants, and spray until it stops coming up. Best of luck, it takes patience to eliminate.
Brenda

Round-up did not work for my Dad, WD-40 did.

I also planted them without researching first. I have tried Round-up and that doesn't work. I tried to pull them, but found out that they will regrow from even the smallest bit of underground runner that is left behind. How do I get rid of them? How do you use the WD-40? How long does it take for them to die after the application (not soon enough). Thanks!

These are horrible to get rid of, the owner of our previous home had them everywhere near the front of the house. I pulled out as many as I could see, they came back this year but in smaller numbers, you have to get the underground roots up as well - they can travel far. I'm hoping that if none go to seed and I continue yanking them out there will be even less next year.

I didn't find them all that difficult to get rid of. Just keep pulling as you see them come up. They give up after a while.

Thanks for all your help. I'm glad I only put them in one bed. filix

I do not know how dad used the 2-4D I assumed he sprayed them once and they died. I wonder if vinegar wouldn't kill them.

Ah, 2-4D not WD40....I kinda wondered-it would just be TOO handy if ya could spritz weeds with WD40 :) We farm, and the guys use 2-4D in the fields. I found out the evils of chinese lanterns in a perennial bed just as they were beginning to bloom. I pulled mine out, then watched for new growth. The younger and more tender the growth is, the faster and better it will take up the Round-up. It will take less chemical, which is always a good thing, and you don't run the risk of the plant developing a resistance to Round-up...something that's getting to be a big problem in the farming world. You want to time the round-up application for the period of fastest growth. Say, for example, you pull them all, then get a nice rain, or water the bed. Those shoots are going to pop out and grow like gangbusters...that's when you nail 'em. A few drops of round-up in the growing point will get you just as far as spraying the matured, toughened up leaves. A weed that's gotten pretty well full grown and then say, goes through a period of drought, toughens up and is much harder to kill. And, that opens up the door for Round-up resistance :) Also, the smaller the plant is, the easier it is to hit only the desired weed without drift onto the plants you DO want. I bought a sprayer at Wally-world this year that has a funnel looking thing on the end of it. Kinda like a gas chamber for the little buggers. Whatever route you decide to go to eliminate them, good luck...with some patience you'll be rid of them.
Brenda

2-4D?!! (I don't even know what that is). I had called my local conservatory and asked about eradicating them (they had no ideas other than Round up and persistence), and I mentioned WD-40, and she was horrified. I'm glad this was clarified, because I am so desperate, I've been thinking about going out to buy some! Thanks to everyone for advice and encouragement. Flowerluvr, I am going to look for your funnel sprayer and be sure to spray the young ones as soon as they emerge.

mfliegner-2,4D is and herbicide that's been around since the 40's. Pretty effective, and it's a personal choice that I don't use most of the farm herbicides in my gardens. Comes from sitting in a pick-up truck waiting for DH and reading labels, lol! I'm most comfortable with Round-up, and I use that for truly obnoxious stuff like chinese lanterns ;) burdock, poke berries and quack grass. Everything else gets pulled.
Something I forgot to mention in the use of Round-up...when I DO use it, I add a little "28". That's the liquid nitrogen we use to side dress the corn. Makes it a little "hot" and you get a good burn on the plant. Again, a little dab'll do ya...maybe a couple tablespoons to a gallon of spray. Might not hurt to see if they sell something similar in the garden center.
Also, there is a tool called a "Sideswipe". It looks like a paint roller on a hockey stick. You can swipe the round-up or whatever on the plant...no drift, and you use very little chemical. The handle holds a quart, and you can get a LOT of weeds killed with one fill. I find that a little handier to use later in the season when my perennials are getting bigger and more crowded-great for a dandelion that's entrenched itself between prized plants!
I shall now get off my round-up/herbicide soapbox and wish everyone well in the eradication of the dreaded chinese lantern!
Brenda

Thanks much! Why can't yellow roses grow like that? filix

Lol, filix, you figure THAT one out and you'll be a millionare :) Happy gardening!

For me they do!!

argh!!! I am an idiot!! I did mean WD-40 the stuff you may have in your garage for lubing rusted metal, door jams,, etc. 2-4D is a plant poison too I think. ANY way I think Dad sprayed the leaves with WD-40 and walked away. One application. The smell would deter me, I think it would sit on top of the soil and smell for a long time.
Sorry for the confusion. I was in too much of a hurry!!