Hello
I have a north-facing garden in suburban Manchester. Although north-facing, behind the back fence is the end of a cul-de-sac rather than another house.

I want to plant prickly/defensive shrubs against the back fence (i.e. south-facing) and hawthorne or holly have been suggested.

The fence gets plenty of sun in late spring/summer, but in winter it gets much less light, especially the western end. This confuses me when looking at suitable plants, with regard to comments about full sun/partial sun/shade.

Would hawthorne or holly be most suitable in this situation? I tend to lean towards hawthorne, mainly because I've had Holly elsewhere which has been extremely dark green, concerned this might make the garden too dark in winter (not that I see the garden in daylight much in winter anwyay!) Suggestions for varieties welcome, pref pink/red flowers for hawthorne.

Thanks in advance
Sue

Forgot to mention berberis, which I like especially b. thunbergii, but not sure it's tall enough to be effective defence? Anyone have experience/views on this?

Tks
Sue

It goes to about 5', and is nicely prickly but a lightweight plant.

Had you thought of pyracantha - very effective barrier material and has more than one colour of berry.

"LittleSue" wrote in message
...

Hello
I have a north-facing garden in suburban Manchester. Although
north-facing, behind the back fence is the end of a cul-de-sac rather
than another house.

I want to plant prickly/defensive shrubs against the back fence (i.e.
south-facing) and hawthorne or holly have been suggested.

The fence gets plenty of sun in late spring/summer, but in winter it
gets much less light, especially the western end. This confuses me
when looking at suitable plants, with regard to comments about full
sun/partial sun/shade.

Would hawthorne or holly be most suitable in this situation? I tend to
lean towards hawthorne, mainly because I've had Holly elsewhere which
has been extremely dark green, concerned this might make the garden too
dark in winter (not that I see the garden in daylight much in winter
anwyay!) Suggestions for varieties welcome, pref pink/red flowers for
hawthorne.

Thanks in advance
Sue
I would suggest Berberis as there are so many different types and they are
very prickly, some even like razors and they are deciduous so you could
underplant with bulbs for the winter/spring


--
Rowdens Reservoir Allotments Association
www.rraa.moonfruit.com
Feed the soil, save the planet

In article ,
"Robert \(Plymouth\)" writes:
| "LittleSue" wrote in message
| ...
|
| I want to plant prickly/defensive shrubs against the back fence (i.e.
| south-facing) and hawthorne or holly have been suggested.
|
| The fence gets plenty of sun in late spring/summer, but in winter it
| gets much less light, especially the western end. This confuses me
| when looking at suitable plants, with regard to comments about full
| sun/partial sun/shade.
|
| I would suggest Berberis as there are so many different types and they are
| very prickly, some even like razors and they are deciduous so you could
| underplant with bulbs for the winter/spring

Actually, many are evergreen and quite a few are only mildly prickly.
But some are as you say. Berberis vulgaris has needle-shaped spines
1+" long and is truly vicious. You would have to select a species
that didn't need full sun all year.

Pyracantha would also be good, as would some roses, a few blackberries,
and quite a few other plants I can't think of now. The last would
give fruit as well! All of hawthorn, holly and these will grow in
that amount of sun, quite happily.

There could also be a mixture, and roses/blackberries will grow through
other plants.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

"LittleSue" wrote in message
...

Hello
I have a north-facing garden in suburban Manchester. Although
north-facing, behind the back fence is the end of a cul-de-sac rather
than another house.

I want to plant prickly/defensive shrubs against the back fence (i.e.
south-facing) and hawthorne or holly have been suggested.

The fence gets plenty of sun in late spring/summer, but in winter it
gets much less light, especially the western end. This confuses me
when looking at suitable plants, with regard to comments about full
sun/partial sun/shade.

Would hawthorne or holly be most suitable in this situation? I tend to
lean towards hawthorne, mainly because I've had Holly elsewhere which
has been extremely dark green, concerned this might make the garden too
dark in winter (not that I see the garden in daylight much in winter
anwyay!) Suggestions for varieties welcome, pref pink/red flowers for
hawthorne.

Thanks in advance
Sue




--
LittleSue

Berberis would be my choice very 'anti-mong' incursion :-) evergreen with
sharp needle length thorns .Our own grow happily behind a southeast
facing low wall and shaded by a trimmed Leylandii the berries persist
through the winter giving extra colour and if you are likely to be around
the Altrincham area you are welcome to take cuttings.
Derek

You can get a varigated Holly which would not be as dark. Berberis is good tho' as it has so many sizes/colours.

The message
from "Robert \(Plymouth\)" contains
these words:

I would suggest Berberis as there are so many different types and they are
very prickly, some even like razors and they are deciduous so you could
underplant with bulbs for the winter/spring

What he said.

Also, if you plant Oregon Grape, it has berries from which you can make
a fine jelly, and the racemes of bright yellow flowers have a strong
lily-of-the valley scent in December to January.

--
Rusty
Men love women, women love children, children love hamsters.
(Alice Thomas Ellis)