Security Planting

[Manalto]

Some of us live in locations where the temptation is strong for pedestrians to cut through our property - or maybe the crime rate isn't as low as it could be. Fences are an option, but it's also possible to discourage trespassers with plantings. A row of Poncirus trifoliata, for example, is an effective barrier. (as Michael Dirr says, "no sane person would attempt to penetrate this hedge!") Near the house, I tend to site my thorniest plants under the vulnerable windows, if conditions allow. Thorns are one strategy, but the mere density of a plant's habit can also work. On my property line, I've planted sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) as a privacy screen but, when mature, it will probably also steer potential intruders away.

What plants do you like for security plantings?

[kinzyjr]

Spanish dagger (Yucca aloifolia) works well.  As far as palms go, hard to beat phoenix theophrasti for keeping interlopers at bay.  As you mentioned, densely hedging your property works well in all respects as it also blocks wind and noise from the road.

If all else fails, syagrus fortyfourmagnumus works well too

[Manalto]

  On 9/17/2018 at 12:58 PM, kinzyjr said:

 syagrus fortyfourmagnumus works well too

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...or Ligustrum crossbowensis?

[PalmatierMeg]

  On 9/17/2018 at 12:39 PM, Manalto said:

Some of us live in locations where the temptation is strong for pedestrians to cut through our property - or maybe the crime rate isn't as low as it could be. Fences are an option, but it's also possible to discourage trespassers with plantings. A row of Poncirus trifoliata, for example, is an effective barrier. (as Michael Dirr says, "no sane person would attempt to penetrate this hedge!") Near the house, I tend to site my thorniest plants under the vulnerable windows, if conditions allow. Thorns are one strategy, but the mere density of a plant's habit can also work. On my property line, I've planted sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) as a privacy screen but, when mature, it will probably also steer potential intruders away.

What plants do you like for security plantings?

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Agaves. Nothing like A. americana, A. scabra, A. ovatifolia and A. tequiliana to make potential intruders rethink their walk path. Large Sabal minor planted along a property are less thorny but deter lazy pedestrians who may find them too much trouble to negotiate.

[Chester B]

Prickly pear.  With thorns or without they're always out for blood when I'm near them.

Here in the PNW the himalayan blackberry forms nasty thickets, but very unsightly and invasive, but at the same time they produce a prolific amount of berries.

Barberry are pretty easy and prickly too.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 9/17/2018 at 5:33 PM, Chester B said:

Prickly pear.  With thorns or without they're always out for blood when I'm near them.

Here in the PNW the himalayan blackberry forms nasty thickets, but very unsightly and invasive, but at the same time they produce a prolific amount of berries.

Barberry are pretty easy and prickly too.

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Many memories of time spent collecting..er,, trying to get to the best berries off this Blackberry sp. growing up in San Jose.. Grew along pretty much every creek bed in the Almaden Valley. Best Blackberry turnovers ever, so the pain was worth it.. These days, i prefer thorn-less varieties. 

 

[metalfan]

I have Bromelia balansae planted to back as a barrier to hunters who might think of approaching the house to be peeping Tom's when they are poaching in the woods

[Silas_Sancona]

Here in the Desert, and in most of California.. there are a multitude of options for providing natural security barriers.. Some, like Firethorn (Pyracantha) and Bougainvillea are old stalwarts, one of which, (Pyracantha) is rarely used anymore partially due to the diseases that can kill it, and also due to the fact that like non native Privets (Ligustrum sp.) flower pollen can cause some pretty nasty allergies.. I for one get Migraine-like headaches when near any of them.. Privets also be spread like crazy and fruit is extremely toxic, esp. to dogs.. Plus, neither is as drought tolerant as i would want when planning out such an application for my yard. There are many better options.. some are exotic, some are either locally or regionally native, and offer up showy / fragrant flowers, and or edible fruit. 

Obviously Cactus such as Prickly pear (Opuntia sp. mentioned by Chester B) top the list.. Not many people or larger animals would be tempted to cross through them, esp. those species that produce lots of Glochid-type spines that are loose enough that they can become airborne in a strong breeze. Then, of course, there are Chollas (Cylindropuntia sp.) Some are decent and can be managed without too much pain ( Diamond / Pencil Cholla).. others are horrendous ( Jumping Teddybears anyone?) Anyone who'd attempt crossing a barrier of these would come out covered in dislodged stem segments that are difficult (and super painful) to remove)

Cacti are also good options because many can easily be started from cuttings. 

Diamond Cholla, Cylindropuntia ramosissima, DBG 2016. Jail for Feral Cats



Bromelia, Hechtia, and Dyckia would be among the most intimidating Bromeliads one could use.. Wouldn't cross a patch of Heart of Flame ( Bromelia sp.) if you payed me to. Fairly drought tolerant as well. 


Among shrubs or low height trees that would fall into the extremely drought tolerant category, many Southwestern native, Mexican, and African Acacia species could work.. especially any that could be kept..or stay shorter..

Euphorbias like E. stenoclada are pretty nasty..and also possess toxic sap as well..two great ways to take out a potential intruder i guess..

Here in AZ, you have the option of 3 plant species known as "Crucifixion Thorns": ( Castela emoryi, Canotia holacantha, and Koeberlinia spinosa) and Greythorn ( Zizyphus obtusifolia).       Koeberlinia and Zizyphus will tolerate casual / occasional pruning to limit size / increase density..

While rarely seen much in the landscape, two sp. of Anchor / Propeller plant ( Colletia-  paradoxa and hystrix)  offer up unusual foliage and/or fragrant flowers. 

C. paradoxa, Huntington, 2013.


Among stuff that you can eat the fruits off of (aside from the Prickly Pears), your choices include:

Wolfberry (Lycium: Fruit/ showy flowers), Berberis trifoliata ( Agarita, Texas native: Great Fruit / fragrant, showy flowers. interesting leaf pattern), & Saffron Plum, Sideroxylon celestrinum Decent fruit, fragrant / showy flowers. 

I'm sure i am forgetting others.. 

Me myself, if i'm planting a barrier, it's objective is to keep out anything that can't fly, and is Human, Raccoon, and Cat-proof.

-Nathan

 

[Laaz]

Poncirus always works best... Lol!

[Manalto]

  On 9/17/2018 at 9:31 PM, Laaz said:

Poncirus always works best... Lol!

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Plus, you can make marmalade.

[Laaz]

Lmao! I wouldn't even taste it. The texture is like glue. I use it as rootstock for my citrus. Flying dragon is one barrier you don't want to run into though.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Laaz

[Manalto]

Great photo! Yes, 'Flying Dragon' (Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa) is a good dwarfing rootstock for citrus. It is difficult (impossible?) to propagate from cuttings but apparently comes true from seed.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Manalto

[Chester B]

As per my response, this wasn't intentional on my part.  These just happen to be super hot, dry places in my garden.  I live in a very nice area - honest!

Prickly pears - 2 years old from three single pads

Yucca rostrata or similar - no definitive ID yet

Yucca gloriosa 

Needle Palm