Guide to Defensive Planting
This is a message from Neighbourhood Alert Information sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police
Message sent by
Jason Crofts (Police, PC 1146, West Bassetlaw, East Bassetlaw & Sherwood)
The concept of Defensive Planting is very simple, but highly effective.
Below is a selection of varieties of very prickly plants are that are recommended as defensive planting owing to their impenetrability and attractiveness.
The plants below are ideally suited to being planted underneath vulnerable windows and allow to grow to sill height. You can also use these around your boundary. Intruders will be unable to pass through (or over) the plants without injuring themselves.
Not only are these attractive natural defences, they are simple, inexpensive and very effective.
Pyracantha
A climbing evergreen with yellow, red or orange berries. White flowers in May on thorny branches. Very useful on fences and walls (10-15′)
Berberis Julianae
Prickly yellow, early flowering species. Evergreen with shiny dark leaves (4-6′)
Mahonia Bealei – Winter Sun
Prickly evergreen with yellow fragrant flowers in winter (4-5′)
Ulex Europaeus – Common Gorse
A vicious spiny plant that provides excellent protection for boundaries. Flowers March-May (4-5′)
Hippanphae Rhamniodes – Sea Buckthorn
Grows in any soil and is wind resistant. Silver foliage and plentiful thorns. A large shrub that provides great cover. Plant in groups of three to obtain berries.
Berberis Ottawensis Superba
Use this as a hedge or individual shrub. Deciduous barbed plant with glorious purple foliage. Yellow flowers in spring. (5-6′). Allow two plants per metre.
Berberis Stenophylla
Can be used as either hedge or shrub. A graceful looking evergreen with long, arching, prickly branches. Masses of yellow flowers in Spring. (4-6′). Allow two plants per metre.
Berberis Gagnepainii
A small, dense, prickly evergreen, suitable also as a low hedge. Impenetrable! Allow two plants per metre.
Crataegus Monogyna – Common Hawthorn
An impenetrable thorny hedge that attains the height of your choice. Fast growing, stunning plant, with beautiful fragrant flowers in May and June and red haws in the autumn. Plant in a staggered row, 4 to one metre.
Rosa Fruhlings Gold-Yellow
Fragrant old fashioned rose. Densely prickly for hedges or individual shrubs, up to 2-3m high.
Rosa Rugosa Rubra Crimson
Fragrant old fashioned rose. Densely prickly for hedges or individual shrubs, up to 2m high.
Rosa Blanc Double de Coubert
White fragrant old fashioned rose. Densely prickly for hedges or individual shrubs, up to 2m high.
Most garden centres should be able to supply these plants – buy more mature specimens for best effect.
Check the growing seasons and ensure that they are lifted at the optimum time. Between October and April is usually the best time for planting, but seek the advice of your local nursery, garden centre or Gardener.
For additional advice please contact the Pre Crime Unit on ext 800 3011 or via email pre.crime@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk