Security Plants Planting prickly hedges and thorny climbing plants can not only make landscaped areas look attractive and environmentally friendly, but can also act as a powerful deterrent to would-be intruders, as well as act as a means to channel movement and behaviour. Plants can also be used on their own as a natural deterrent, or in conjunction with physical barriers such as fences, walls, ditches and berms, providing an additional barrier. They can also reduce the harsh visual impact of traditional barriers, making a more visually pleasing and less fortress-like security measure. These are some common shrubs that are both colourful and very prickly to touch. Photo Description Height Berberis Gagnepainii (Gagnepain's Barberry). A large thorny shrub with 2.5cm spikes which can grow up to 1.5m with razor sharp leaves. Can be used as a barrier. 1.5m Berberis (Juliana). A dense prickly evergreen shrub with shiny dark leaves. Hardy, can survive well drained soils and temperatures down to -15C. Yellow flowers in Spring. Grows 1.2-1.8m tall. Can be used as a barrier and for ground cover. 1.2-1.8m -
Berberis (Ottawensis Superba). Can be used as a hedge, as ground cover, or as an individual shrub. A vigorous deciduous plant with barbed thorns. Purple foliage with yellow flowers in Spring. Reaches 1.5-1.8m tall, allow two plants per metre. Can tolerate partial shade. 1.5-1.8m Berberis (Stenophylla). Use as a hedge or shrub. Graceful evergreen with long arching prickly branches, masses of yellow flowers in Spring. Grows 1.8-2.5m tall, allow two plants per metre. 1.8-2.5m Crataegus Monogyna (Common Hawthorn). Forms a dense impenetrable thorny hedge. Fast growing, wonderful sight in May and June with fragrant white flowers. Red haws in Autumn. Plant in staggered row 4 per metre. Prune to required height. Crataegus prunifolia. A species of Hawthorn. Can be grown as a shrub or small tree with a lot of very strong thorns. Can be used as a decorative line of sight barrier on a perimeter that is very difficult to climb. 1.5 3m 3 5m
Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seaberry/Sea Buckthorn). A robust plant that is wind and salt tolerant making it suitable to large open areas, and places where roads and car parks will be salted in the winter. A dense shrub which grows up to 2m. Can be pruned to required height. Gorse (Ulex Europaeus). Tall, spine covered, with yellow flowers and whitewashed stems forming a wall of thorns. Very robust and suitable as ground cover. 1.5 2m Ilex (Holy). A very hardy, evergreen plant with over 600 species. Has glossy, strong foliage. Dense growth. Can be pruned to regulate height. Ideal for area coverage and as a barrier. 2-5m Mahonia. A prickly evergreen shrub with over 70 species. Fragrant, flowering in winter and spring. Grows 1.2-1.8m tall (over 10 years). Suitable for shaded areas and for area cover. Berries in late autumn. 1.2m Prunus (spinosa). Grown as either a dense shrub or small tree up to 2m. Can be pruned. Produces sloe berries in autumn.
Pyracantha. A vigorous, hardy evergreen reaching height of 2m with 5cm spikes. Has sharp long thorns. An excellent barrier. Can be trained to cover walls and fences reaching several metres in height, or pruned to form low hedge. Flowers in early summer with berries in autumn (normally red or yellow). Rosa 'American Pillar.' A strong and dense growing member of the rose family with bright pink flowers. Drought resistant and shade tolerant. Grows up to 2m. Can be trained to cover walls and fences. 3.0m Rosa New Dawn. A robust and easy to grow member of the rose family. Silvery pink flowers. Will grow up to 3m. Requires support. Rosa Blanc Double de Coubert. White, fragrant old fashioned rose. Dense, prickly for hedges or individual shrubs up to 2m high. Can be supported to cover walls etc.to several meters in height.
Rosa Rugosa Rubra Crimson. A fragrant old fashioned climbing rose. Dense, can be used to form a prickly hedge. Grows up to 2m tall, or if left unsupported used as ground cover. Red, white or purple flowers followed by hips in Autumn. Ruscus. A dense thicket, evergreen and can provide a good low level barrier. Height 0.5m. 0.5m