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Old 20-08-2007, 09:09 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Nick Maclaren Nick Maclaren is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,752
Default Specialist Thorny Plants ?


In article . com,
ora writes:
|
| I hope the group can help me, for reasons not worth bothering you
| with, I'm interested in finding the most blood hungry thorny plant
| that will grow fast and vigorously in the UK or even better a range of
| types I've an area of deep shade and another exposed in full
| sun.
|
| To be clear I don't want a pussy like Pyracantha or Hawthorn I want
| "Grow Your Own Razor Wire!!", Little Shop of Horrors.

It takes a little while to get going, and I don't know how easy it
is to get, but Berberis vulgaris (yes, our native barberry) has the
most vicious needle spines you can imagine, and grows very fast when
established. There are doubtless several other vicious Berberis,
but a lot of them are as cuddly as gorse or holly.

There are some suitable roses, too, but the same remark applies.

| Any specialist sites I might ask on?
|
| Exotics that I may be able to get hold of? They would need to stand up
| to the rigours of Merseyside, grow fast and vigorously

Consider Poncirus trifoliata. The New Zealand bush lawyers (Rubus
species) are also worth considering.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.