Thanks everyone for your input - you've given me so much food for thought. I've decided to put the brakes on and completely re-think my idea (well BB's idea) - I'm concerned a bit about that sail effect, more so that the mesh wouldn't do what I'd want it to do. My over-riding thought now is relief over not having to spend 3 or 400 hundred quid on plastic mesh - seems a tad ludicrous now in the cold light of day.
I'm going to look into a slim border of spiny shrubbery - I've not got any experience with roses so have a lot to learn, although I already have Pyracantha (Mojave) in the front garden, and I seem to remember reading in the garden centre that Teton is a more upright form which might work better.
I think that’s wise, Borage. Sometimes an idea or method that works well for one gardener just doesn’t translate to your own garden or climate. Some of the column type berberis are slim and would fit with the spiny theme. Maybe some wild roses too, I would’ve suggested the tough and thorny Scotch rose Rosa Spinosimmia but that might eat your garden, maybe one or two of the better-behaved Rugosa cultivars, they thrive in windy coastal areas. Perhaps start a new thread in Plants describing your conditions and asking for further wildlife friendly suggestions?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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