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Posted by stevee22001 (U13896866) on Thursday, 3rd June 2010
Hi anyone recommend any plants that will serve as extra security. I have a large evergreen hedge but at the bottom where it meets my fence the local kids use it as entry into the local golf club, just want something bushy and thorny, preferably fast growing and easy obtainable, many thanks
Hawthorn, blackthorn, blackberry and berberis (spelt right) all come to mind you can get one year old hawthrons for about 50p each blackberrys are cheep cheep (sorry) but don't know about the berberis and the blackthorn.
I picked up about 200 hawthorns for £60 two years back to make a security hedge and its coming on well now.
Hope that helps...
Whatsthemarrow...
Blackberry roots easily, too easily perhaps, but it does have the advantage of fruiting. You will need to keep it under control otherwise it will spread everywhere. If a branch touches the ground, or even just the tip, it will take root. If you can find some wild blackberries, take a look around and see it there are any rooted bits that you dig up. You could also try Freecycle, Freegle in some areas, to see what's available.
Also pyracantha, rosa rugosa, gooseberries, hollies, (which grows faster than is often thought and has lovely berries too if you get a female one), any of the large rambling roses, some of which have lethal thorns. May, also known as quickthorn and hawthorn, is the quickest grower, hence its name, and does make a very pretty as well as dense and prickly hedge.
I'm using burberis and pyracantha plants as a hedge at the back of my garden, which backs onto a park, and so is not the most secure in the world... I'd really recommend them.
They aren't the fastest growing of shrubs, and it's taken about 3 years for the plants I bought at about 2 foot high to form a decent hedge, but I certainly wouldn't want to try and climb through it!
Plus the berries attract a lot of wildlife over the colder months, which is nice.
I've dotted mine with a couple of small acer trees and a cotoneaster for a bit of variety.
Both already suggested, but to recommend them again - I've seen some rosa rugosas used in this way & whilst the flowers are just single not that special, they have amazing huge rosehips on later, which look great as well as horrific thorns!
We have some pyracanthas & the berries put on a lovely show later.
I guess it's a matter of balancing fast growing against how nice they will look for years to come. If urgency is the main aim then there are probably quicker growing ones already recommended.
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