He can’t say I didn’t warn him.

When I asked my husband to trim the bougainvillea on Saturday, he didn’t hesitate to get up on the ladder and start hacking away.

He didn’t seem to notice that the bougainvillea was hacking back.

“You might want to change into a long-sleeve shirt,” I said, having done battle with the bougie many times before.

But he didn’t want to take the time. And so …

That’s what he looks like today. Ouch.

Right after he finished, Rick ran up to Lowe’s to get me several bags of mulch (yes, he really is a great husband), and two customers kidded him about the scratches. They recognized the culprit right away—he didn’t even have to tell them it was a bougainvillea.

One guy suggested he try welders gloves because they have a long protective cuff, or gauntlet. I started looking online and came across these Bionic Rose Gauntlet gloves for both men and women at http://www.therosegardener.com.

They’re on sale right now for $38 (usually $45). That’s kind of pricey, I know, but come on. Look at those arms!