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Need thorny suggestions

11 years ago

I'm looking for thorny/annoying plants to put under our windows for home defense. I'm in the DFW area (zone 7b/8a). I'm also looking for a drought tolerant plant. I've read a fair amount about Barberis thunbergii on the net but I'm not sure if it would be good for this area. Thoughts?
If not this, then what about a holly or a juniper?

Thanks

Mary

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Comments (2)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
Although a different zone, there was just a thread on this that you might want to read.Thorny shrubs for security
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How high approximately?

For nice evergreen shrubs:

Pyracantha koidzumei 'Victory' might work for you there. Nice and evergreen and gets beautiful berries. Would need pruning though to keep inbounds.

Other options are Ilex cornuta 'Rotundifolia' and a bit less intimidating is one called 'Carissa'. People won't mess with these!

Also, Berberis julianae. Also needs trimming. Berberis x gladwynensis 'William Penn' is lower, but equally spiny.

Of course there's always prickly pear and some yuccas, such as Y. gloriosa.

I'm sure there are many more.

Forget about anything deciduous. They just don't look great in winter close to the house.
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