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ideal security hedge?
Hi folks,
After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
if you can trim Bouganvillia into hedge that would be perfect!
"Litl Fish" wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
I don't know if you can grow rugosa roses where you are, but they are dense,
disease free, prickly, hardy and grow to the height you want in a short amount of time. Good luck! Alwynne "Litl Fish" wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
Litl Fish wrote:
Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. snip Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey Rosemary Grevillea (G. rosmarinifolia) makes an *excellent* people-repelling hedge! It's prickly and dense and bears lovely little chinese-lantern-like flowers! My Mum grew such a hedge to repel the neighbour's feral no-neck children and it worked like a charm - the No-nex stopped coming into Mum's yard and suddenly mail stopped disappearing from the mailbox, the milk money remained intact and the dog was a heap happier! The only drawback I can think of is that, like most grevilleas, G.rosmarinifolia can be infested by that obnoxious bag-worm pest that ringbarks the plants in the axils of the branches - it's not attractive and can alter the shape of the bush. G. rosmarinifolia really is very prickly and also deters anything else from growing in its dripline, so don't expect lawn or lawn-mowing husbands to enjoy it. But I doubt your junkies would brave a thick hedge of G.rosmarinifolia to get at your tap, either! HTH, -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
ideal security hedge?
Litl Fish wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey A natural alternative to a hedge is a beehive. No one likes bees buzzing around, worked for a friend in a crime hotspot here. If you do decide to plant something go for bouganvillea as it is equivalent to razor wire. Having your Washingtonia Palms pinched maybe a blessing. Rats like to live in them here in WA. Also have been known to become a large bonfire when someone lights the dead foliage. I wish you luck. Richard |
ideal security hedge?
Razor wire, don't need much watering or trimming. You may have just missed
the sale at Woomera though. Litl Fish wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
Thanks for all your replies! Now it's a toss-up between bouganvillea and
razor-wire and a beehive. Since the proxy for the behive went to bouganvillea, that'll be it, especially as we already have some growing where I don't particularly want sharp plants, but we just love the flowering bouganvillea, which don't look out of place with other tropical plants, palms, etc. Once again, thanks for your help, and may all of you find the answers you seek in newsgroups such as this! "Litl Fish" wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
On Sun, 15 Jun 2003 00:51:38 GMT,"Litl Fish" posted ...
Thanks for all your replies! Now it's a toss-up between bouganvillea and razor-wire and a beehive. Since the proxy for the behive went to bouganvillea, that'll be it, especially as we already have some growing where I don't particularly want sharp plants, but we just love the flowering bouganvillea, which don't look out of place with other tropical plants, palms, etc. Once again, thanks for your help, and may all of you find the answers you seek in newsgroups such as this! A final solution is to buy a dog, not inasmuch to bite somebody, but to give a warning bark to keep intruders out of your garden. -- Chris Bee |
ideal security hedge?
The bouganvillea will create more thorns on the limbs that have been pruned
and more flower growth on the fresh limbs. You can train the limbs to head where you like and can create a great fence with a little time, patience and a good pair of welding gloves. Hope this helps, Peter |
ideal security hedge?
Thanks Peter, I've only had a brief look at info on pruning, and now realise
it's quite an art, although I've got some pretty grandiose scheme for the hedge, just have to learn how to implement it! And thanks also to Chris, yes, we have a young (1 y.o.) dog, a Staffy Bull Terrier, she's already giving notice to passersby ... but she was inside on the night of the palm heist! "Bushy" wrote in message ... The bouganvillea will create more thorns on the limbs that have been pruned and more flower growth on the fresh limbs. You can train the limbs to head where you like and can create a great fence with a little time, patience and a good pair of welding gloves. Hope this helps, Peter |
ideal security hedge?
Litl Fish wrote:
Thanks Peter, I've only had a brief look at info on pruning, and now realise it's quite an art, although I've got some pretty grandiose scheme for the hedge, just have to learn how to implement it! And thanks also to Chris, yes, we have a young (1 y.o.) dog, a Staffy Bull Terrier, she's already giving notice to passersby ... but she was inside on the night of the palm heist! LOL! And ROTFL! You might want to think again about growing palm trees and a Staffy in the same yard! Ours (Staffy x Bull Terrier) eats the fallen palm nuts by the bucketload. This results in the most *interesting* diarrhoea you could possibly imagine! I live in horror that one day our dog will wind up with a major bowel obstruction from swallowing just one palm nut too many! Bullies and Staffies are good to have, though. Aside from being wildly attractive (ours has the seductive name of 'Miss Alice'), most Bad Blokes think twice about coming into a yard where one lives. Miss Alice has never attempted to bite anyone, but I have no doubt that she would if threatened and so we keep her safely inside the yard and don't allow children anywhere near her. She wears a muzzle and harness when she's out being exercised (ie she takes my son for Very Long Walks). Our biggest worry is her pink skin combined with her love of sunbathing (propped up against the door of our outdoor dunny, seated on her bottom and with eyes closed against the morning sun). Does your Staffy dig big holes? -- Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
ideal security hedge?
Hi Casey,
What is your climatic zone, or where are you? "Litl Fish" wrote in message ... Hi folks, Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
ideal security hedge?
Bees go to bed early and get up late.
Alwynne "Loosecannon" wrote in message ... Litl Fish wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey A natural alternative to a hedge is a beehive. No one likes bees buzzing around, worked for a friend in a crime hotspot here. If you do decide to plant something go for bouganvillea as it is equivalent to razor wire. Having your Washingtonia Palms pinched maybe a blessing. Rats like to live in them here in WA. Also have been known to become a large bonfire when someone lights the dead foliage. I wish you luck. Richard |
ideal security hedge?
Bees go to bed early and get up late.
Alwynne "Loosecannon" wrote in message ... Litl Fish wrote in message ... Hi folks, After having various items stolen from our front yard, the final straw was when 2 beautiful Washington Cotton palms were dug up one night. We'd already gotten sick of having the local drug dealer's clients using our tap to fill up their syringes - even after relocating the tap from the front of the garden to the front of the house.-Now, don't get me wrong, if someone wants to fill a container of water for an overheated car, that's fine, it's not the water that's at issue ...... I just don't like junkies or thieves coming up my driveway. Now we've decided to put up some kind of border. A fence seemed the obvious solution, although it would look ugly on top of a 1.2M high double brick retaining wall. Our local friendly Council wants $400 to "consider a request for dispensation" to consider allowing a higher fence. Add that to the $2500 cost of the fence and gates, but ONLY if the Council deems to grant your request. Then they will only CONSIDER giving you permission, it's not a given. No permission, no fence, and you can forget your $400 too. (Never mind that the junkies and thieves don't need anybody's permission to help themselves to what they want. OK, got that off my chest, and don't even mention electricified razor wire fences!) Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey A natural alternative to a hedge is a beehive. No one likes bees buzzing around, worked for a friend in a crime hotspot here. If you do decide to plant something go for bouganvillea as it is equivalent to razor wire. Having your Washingtonia Palms pinched maybe a blessing. Rats like to live in them here in WA. Also have been known to become a large bonfire when someone lights the dead foliage. I wish you luck. Richard |
ideal security hedge?
Hi Bluedog, we're in Melbourne, with a front facing the West. I've been
researching bouganvillea quite extensively, and have discovered that their root system is on the fragile side, according to a number of web sites I've visited. I also noticed this when I first planted a few plants around our garden, when at first the plants suffered a bit of shock, but then after that just shot up and grew (other than the one my dog ate, she loves chewing wood or anything that looks like a dead plant, or even if there's a possibility it might die). Alternative plants for hedges I've found have included Hawthorn (Crataegus Monogyna), which is a nice prickly plant (and no, my dog won't be going anywhere near the front) and then also the Mexican White Blossom). Any thoughts on the merits of these plants?? "Bluedog" wrote in message . au... Hi Casey, What is your climatic zone, or where are you? "Litl Fish" wrote in message ... Hi folks, Now a hedge starts to look more attractive. The cost is cheaper, I don't need Council permission, it looks FAR better, and I can stick gates where required at the ends inside our property. Decision made, now I seek your helpful and expert advice please. What would be an ideal intruder stopper, but would look nice? I'd just like some ideas on some radical hedges, but nothing higher than about 1.5m, and we don't like conifers. The hedge would be placed in well-drained soil right above the weed mat covered drainage screenings (with aggy pipes inside). The soil inside of the retaining walls and below the surface is clay, but the hedge would be sitting on well drained soil/compost. (Although I've bought a pH tester, I haven't used it yet!) Are there any "tropical" hedges that grow fast and thick? (We're trying to establish a semi-tropical/semi-arid garden!) And then what is the best way to buy them, tubestock, seeds, or what? Thanking you in advance for your advice...... Casey |
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