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Shrub needed for security

a.donald96a.donald96 Posts: 2
in Plants

We had a beautiful, very well established pyracantha (20 years+) that we had to take out to build a small bedroom extension on our bungalow. I need to replant something just as prickly by the wall under the new bedroom window to provide a deterrent when the fanlight windows are open in summer but won’t affect the foundations with it’s roots.  

-      Is it worth replanting some of the original pyracantha roots that I’ve save under the window and, if so, what’s the best way: straight into the ground or in a container? Or

-      is there an alternative prickly shrub that would be better?

Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks.

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Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    You'd be spoilt for choice with climbing and rambler roses.  But they need support.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2022
    Hello @a.donald96 and welcome to the forum  :)

    We have a Rosa glauca in just such a spot in front of our sitting room window ... it's spiny enough to deter (or even catch and hold) potential intruders, but is 'see through' enough that we can grow it above the height of the windowsill and see through it, so we also have a bit of screening ... an additional bonus is that we can sit here and watch the robins, wrens, bluetits and dunnocks hopping about in it, gathering small insects etc. 

    At the moment it's covered with gorgeous orange hips.

     Fabulous  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Berberis Stenophylla is pretty painful, and I speak from experience. It has lovely orange flowers and can be trimmed to form a neat hedge if you so desire.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Ceres said:
    Berberis Stenophylla ...  has lovely orange flowers 
    But have you smelt it?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Mahonia has very spiky leaves, and pretty scented yellow flowers in the winter / spring. 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Poncirus trifoliata or Berberis julianae ; both are pretty formidable .
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I’d plant what you’ve saved in front of your window .Can’t see the point of buying a new plant if you’ve already got some pyracantha left from before . Just plant it the same distance from the new wall as it was from the old one .It’s done a good job for all those years why change things ………unless of course you feel like a change .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited November 2022
    I agree - if the pyracantha's still viable, just replant it. It'll depend what space you have left though. What are the rough dimensions @a.donald ?
    If you want a change, Mahonia is a very good suggestion - not fussy as to soil etc either, and flowering at this time of year, with berries for wildlife. Or one of the many Berberis - some are evergreen. There's a smaller Mahonia though, so avoid that one. Can't recall the name, sorry. Charity or Winter Sun are the bigger ones, and readily available.
    Ilex [holly] would be another easy shrub  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • a.donald96a.donald96 Posts: 2
    "....if the pyracantha's still viable, just replant it. It'll depend what space you have left though. What are the rough dimensions @a.donald ?" That's what I'm hoping, the rough dimensions available to replant being up to 200 x 60 cms with the really helpful prickly plant suggestions here being the next best option.
    My concern main concern is any plant roots affecting the new foundations although the previous pyracantha roots hadn't affected the original foundations :) .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't worry - Pyracantha won't be a problem for you foundations. 
    I had one by the front door in a previous house. Both are still standing  ;)

    The pyra actually looks fabulous just now. It's in a site which never gets sun [north facing] as it's a little corner with house walls on two sides, and just proves that plants don't always read the info.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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