This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Love/ Hate Relationship


I've posted this picture here before but I couldn't find the picture of the one I'm writing about. I'm old (well older) so I can get by with forgetful and repeating, huh? I always wanted one of these digger plants. I know we discussed that here too and I forget what the proper name is according to commenters but we all call them Diggers. I always thought they were an interesting plant and the blooms are beautiful but digging one up and replanting it was another story until I came upon one growing in a gateway where it didn't belong. It was only about a foot tall. Humm I can handle that and I did and replanted it myself. My thumb is not the greenest but to my amazement it grew and grew and bloomed the last three years. Now it is way over my head and the sharp leaves are just about the right size to punch my yard guy in the face. Not a good thing! So I try to keep them trimmed from the bottom and that is the reason my arms look as if I had a fight with a cat. One year a man was doing some work for me and he told me I have a saw that trims those Diggers really well so I hired him to do that. He used a saw on a long pole. Don't know what it is called but it did a nice job and he didn't have to get so close to those sharp little buggers. Next time they needed trimming he couldn't be found. If all else fails do it yourself. After John's grandson graduated from high school he was going to get rich selling cutlery. We didn't want to burst his bubble 'cause he is a nice young man so we all bought at least one thing from him. I picked a pair of pruning shears. They cost too much but they are good so I tried those to trim the Diggers. They worked good with a little contortion on my part. All of this was to say I still love the plant and the blooms but I hate those sharp points on the leaves. If I'm still alive don't be surprised if I don't write about this again next year.

8 comments:

Dar said...

LOL, but not funny, them sharp leaves are killers.
I have only heard about them so cannot say so from experience, as you can. I also have never seen them in bloom, so I will have to wait for that when we become snowbirds to your wonderful part of the world. Have a glorious day. Sure sorry your arms took a beating from your Diggers which ARE impressive.
BlessYourHeart

Unknown said...

They sure look sharp and pointy with some beauties to attract in the centre!!! Nature has a way with beauty:)

Toon said...

They look a bit look big sea plants...like anenomes or something.

Anonymous said...

SUGGESTION, BUILD A ' PROTECTIVE FENCE' AROUND THE PLANT, LEAVING ROOM FOR EXPANSION.
IF A FEW WEEDS GROW UP, REACH UNDER WITH A LONG HANDLE HOE AND PULL THE WEEDS AWAY.
then no harm to allow thorns to be part of the beauty of nature. sam

Lucy said...

That is a pretty but I can see prickly, very prickly!!! It looks wild where you live. lol

Helen said...

Bet those would stick you good. Helen

Sheila Y said...

Ouch! Sheila :)

jack69 said...

I always get stuck around sharp things. I thought one of the best things you posted was when John burned______ (now I can't think of the cactus name) to get rid of the stickers.

I have seen this plant, the digger) and the leaves ARE sharp, they have some in Florida. DAngerous but pretty.
Take care.