Barbara has long declared a ban on plants for the garden with spikes, thorns, or other objects that might bring harm. I have respected her declaration, mostly, with several or maybe a few more exceptions. I advise her to steer clear of areas where these are planted.

I am quite certain that I have a thick pair of gloves, somewhere, for times I must remove dead leaves or browned stalks of flowers on the offensive plants. But as you might guess, I typically avoid this task along with most others. When the chore is unavoidable, I stay quiet about injuries inflicted by spines of mahonias (Berberis x hortensis, formerly Mahonia x media, and others). I will most definitely never mention a puncture from the Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria auracana, below) that I was warned repeatedly not to purchase. In fact, it was a gift shipped by a longtime nursery friend in Oregon.

But of course, I can not help but to add plants of interest to the garden. Occasionally, there will be a sharp point to be aware of, and yes, I do consider my wife’s opinion on the matter. Sometimes, I must act contrary to her wishes for the sake of a better garden. She is then justified in her pointed criticisms.

With no suitable location other than a container for one of the Agaves that are cold hardy, I’ve opted for the flexible-spined Mangaves that are also not cold hardy. Barbara stubbornly refuses to acknowledge their friendliness, even as I dig and pot a handful without injury that must be brought indoors before freezing temperatures begin.

Most of the Osmanthus varieties are harmless, with flexible spines along leaf edges that are less dangerous than most of the garden’s hollies (Ilex spp.). I have recently planted a narrow leafed osmanthus, ‘Zip Line’ (Osmanthus armatus ‘Zip Line’) that is not quite as spiny as the bamboo leafed osmanthus (Osmanthus heterophylla (Sasaba’, above) that looks more ferocious than its actual bite.