Sounds like it could be wiregrass or stiltgrass, or possibly one of the other grassy weeds. Unfortunately, there's probably no good way to rescue the real plants other than hand digging the grass, or digging out all the good stuff and housing them somewhere else temporarily while you apply a non-selective weed-killer (like Round-Up) to the bed.

Larry

Darn -- I had a feeling that was the case. I guess I should have started in the fall! I may have to be pretty selective about what to save, in addition to the old lumbar region!
Susan

Well, I'm not fond of herbicides but there is one for grass. I don't know the name of it but it's supposed to only kill grass. A good garden center could tell you about it.

Wiregrass and violets have convinced me that the only way to deal with these weeds is to eliminate the "lawn" completely. I know what you mean about backs having an opinion about these things!

Yes, I have more than enough violets, too, but at least they have a pretty bloom. I put in a variety called Freckles years ago and they're all over the place now, along with all the wild ones. I haven't been able to ID this wretched grass yet, but it doesn't really matter, because it's a goner (wishful thinking!)

My experience is that you will never get rid of stuff like that because leaving even one rootstalk behind will start the process over again. I would spray and hand-paint Round-Up on the blades of grass (protecting the other plants from the overspray) to keep it knocked back to levels that you can tolerate.