August / September 2000

Neighbourhood Watch

  

SECURING YOUR HOME - THE NATURAL WAY

One of the best ways to keep thieves out is to use nature's own defence mechanisms to stop intruders. A barrier of prickly hedge may be all the protection you need around your property.

Here are some ideas:

CREEPING JUNIPER

JUNIPERUS horizontal is `Wiltonii' Also known as `Blue Rug' because it has long brances and its prostrate shape forms a flattened blue carpet. It has a thorny stem and foliage.

BLUE SPRUCE

PICEA pungens 'Globosa' Rigid branches, irregular dense blue, spiky needles. Ht. 1-1.25m x 75 cm-1 m. Slow growing, moist rich soil.

COMMON HOLLY ILEX agulfolium Large evergreen shrub, dark green spiked leaves. Large red berries on female plants only. Suitable in well drained soil.

GIANT RHUBARB GUNNERA manicata Giant rhubarb-like leaves on erect stems, abrasive foliage. Can grow up to 2.5m high.

GOLDEN BAMBOO

PHYLLOSTACHYS aurea Very graceful, forming thick clumps of up to 3.5m high. Less invasive than other bamboos. Hardy. Young shoots in spring.

CHINESE JUJUBE

ZIZYPHUS sativa Medium sized tree with very spiny pendulous branches. Leaves glossy bright green. Bears clusters of small yellow flowers.

FIRETHORN

PYRACANTHA `Orange Glow' Flowers white in June, with bright orange-red berries. Thorny stem. Ht. 3- 4.5m. Suitable for north or east-facing wall or as impenetrable hedging.

SHRUB ROSE

ROSA `Frau Dagmar Hastrup' Excellent ground cover, pale pink flowers, very thorny stem. May September.

JUNIPER

JUNIPERUS x MEDIA `Old Gold' Evergreen. Golden-tipped, prickly foliage. Ht. 0.6m. Spread 1.8m.

MOUNTAIN PINE

PINUS mugo `Mughus' A very hardy, large shrub or small tree, with long sharp needles, of dense, bushy habit. Leaves in pairs, 3-4 cm long, rigid and curved, dark green, cone shaped.

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