Busier than a one armed paper hanger?

All my life I had heard, and even used, the phrase, “Busier than a one-armed paper hanger,” without having the slightest idea what it meant. I think I was in my mid-twenties before I understood the image conjured by the phrase, that of a man with one arm trying to hang wallpaper. Probably the epiphany came the first time I actually tried hanging wallpaper for myself. Image and comments courtesy ofhttp://weskenney.net/?p=693 

Actually my post has to do more with not being busy enough because of not having the use of one arm. Surgery was performed February 14 on my right rotator cuff leaving it pretty much immobile for the next 5-6 weeks and not fully recovered to 100% for 6 months. Yikes, right during peak gardening season.

 As I ponder in this photo above to prune or not to prune this Miscanthus now or later, you can see how limited I will be for a while. You ever tried to be a one armed garden pruner? Very slow going. Anyways one arm is better than none. And I can always ask for help from my lovely bride. So I guess that it would be

good to spend more time with her in the garden. And I am sure she will be glad to follow my detailed instructions to a t. Ha, ha. I look at the garden and see nothing but projects, projects, and more projects. Ain't going to happen is it? And you know what my doctors are saying: do nothing and heal!

The trials begin......

Amaryllis to the Rescue

I have been home from work for going on three weeks. I injured my supraspinatus muscle which is a part of the rotator cuff. Surgery will be performed on valentines day with many days of therapy and recovery to follow. Arghh, right during the prime gardening season! And lets top that off with 20" of snow and below zero temperatures. A recipe for gloom. Whats a green blood gardener to do? Amaryllis to the rescue, at least for the time being.

Carol at May Dream Gardens has a interesting post about amaryllis: Amaryllis

Wordless Wednesday

Wildflower Wednesday - Tax Return Blues-tem

Here I am crying over my completed tax return and looking for a interruption from my pain.  Why not Wildflower Wednesday? Thank you blogdom. And thank you Gail for relieving my anxiety!

Schizachyrium scoparium-Little Bluestem

Verbascum thapsus-Common Mullien

Although I've already commented on these plants in the last post, I will add the same information here. These native bluestem plants were transplanted from an highway right-a-way near a native Flint Hills Kansas prairie.  Haven't verified the variety as of yet. 
The mullien was derived from the same area. I'm sure most of you know that the mullien is described as a noxious weed in most states. I find that the foliage adds texture to my plantings. I have a "thing" for large silver woolly foliage, as I also like Stachys, Salvia argentea, and
Verbascum spp.  That about the best I could do for today. Happy planning everyone. Greggo

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea bloom with Lilly leaves.

 

We in the Flint Hills region of  Kansas are still licking our wounds from the subzero temperatures we have experienced over the last two weeks in our zone 6a growing area. Snow is still on the ground but beginning to thaw while we wait for the next norther to come in next week. The bird feeders are full with many species of finch enjoying their morsels with abandon. I purchased a water heater for the birds water pan, will see how that works out.  Planted some Bluestem varieties recovered from the state right of way. 

Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem

Two different varieties of little bluestem.

Verbascum thapsus - common Mullein

This particular Mullein was recovered from the right of way south of Winfield, Kansas. We will see if the transplant actions will succeed or not.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Salvia farinacea

Also blooming:

Zinnia angustifolia 'starburst'

Rosa 'Flower Carpet Red' ('Ricarda')?

Aster spp.

Veronica longifolia 'Sunny Border Blue'

Chrysanthemum spp.

Stipa tenuissima

 Penstemon 'Red Rocks'

                                                       Gallardia spp.

 

Alyssum 'golf'

 Also blooming:
Miscanthus sinescis 'variegatus'
Rudebeckia hirta
Solidago  rugosa

Basil
Eupatorium auromaticum 'joicus variegated'
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues'
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster '
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hamelin'
Pennisetum alopecuroides  (standard)
Miscanthus sinesis 'gold bar'
Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy'

Only Monarchs have the Blues