Recommendations for prickly bushes

thescouselander

I need help with a problem I have got. Basically my front garden used to be covered in grass but it was very difficult to keep tidy as is was not possible to use a lawn mower due to various obstructions.

To solve the problem I ripped up the grass and replaced it with decorative gravel - that brought a new problem. There is no fence between my front garden and next door. when the postie comes (or people delivering leaflets etc) the walk from next door straight over my gravel to my door. consequently I am forever raking foot prints out of the gravel.

The solution, I thought, it to plant some very prickly bushes between my garden and next door to deter people from taking this short cut.

I am not that green fingered so could someone recommend a suitable bush to plant. My requirements are:

1) Must be quite cheap
2) Must have big spikes that would rip you to shreds
3) Must be low maintenance
4) Must not look unsightly

Any suggestions?

~Chameleon~

I've got one in my garden that I know comes in several varieties of leaf and flower colour but I'm damned if I can think what it's called! :rolleyes:

Very attractive and has long thorns similar to a gorse, but it's not gorse. I'll come back once my memory returns and let you know what it is

ETA: Why does that always happen, as soon as I hit send I remembered what it is :rotfl:

It's a Berberis (think that's how it's spelled) and you can get red/green ones with a variety of coloured flowers. Oh and it's evergreen too so will still look good during winter

bina72

I have a berberis too, I spent a couple of hours on Sat cutting it back & I've been ripped to shreds! Seriously it does the job you're after. I'm thinking of getting a couple for the back garden as security! We have a lot of problems as there is a park backing on to our garden, lots of overgrown kids think it's funny to go the quick way home over our fence & through our sidegate. They have ruined our fence panels. Sorry I'm going on about my problems!

Anyway this would be ideal as it really does hurt when you touch it, the needles are very long & fine. I cut mine back as it overhangs the front pavement - I don't want any passersby getting spiked. Other than that it's very low maintenance.
It does look pretty too as chameleon said.

Feel sorry for your postie if they wear shorts!

thescouselander

Thanks, that looks like just the thing.

noonesperfect

I was going to suggest Berberis (had to pull mine out it stopped me weeding!!!! I couldn't get near it)

Another good one is Pyracanthus (firethorn)

http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/picklist.php?name=&pl=5&adv=1&ot=p&r=2&g=0&p=1&o=997

GreenNotM

one of the more "primative" roses - very thorny with flowers and rose hips for winter interest ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_canina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_rugosa
For example see the pic here of a low thick hedge ...

Also sloes/blackthorn bushes have vicious thorns and if trimmed will stay small but they do spread by sucker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackthorn but you will get the sloes:beer:

ScratchandSniff-->[X]

thescouselander wrote: »

1) Must be quite cheap
2) Must have big spikes that would rip you to shreds
3) Must be low maintenance
4) Must not look unsightly

Any suggestions?

Gooseberries

5) Nice Jam )

Jnelhams

There are numerous varities of Berberis, and all make attractive nasty hedges quite quickly.

The best time to plant is now and the following is a good and affordable company I have used many times.

http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/acatalog/product_38769.html

torbrex

You could mix in a Mahonia, it grows as big as you want it to, is evergreen with bright yellow flowers and most importantly spiky leaves. I cut off a few of the leaves and stick them in newly planted seed beds to stop the local cats from using them as a toilet, works a treat.

shelley_crow

Quickthorn is an excellent fast growing spiky bush. When it flowers it's pretty too
http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/acatalog/product_10280.html

lexie55_2

PYRACANTHA (Firethorn) - LETHAL. Have the scars to prove it..