I am not suggesting you want to keep your neighbours out of your garden but there are some circumstances where a Prickly Shrub is just what the doctor ordered.

Choice Prickly Shrubs

• Mahonias scores highly on my list. It is evergreen and the leaves are quite prickly. The flowers are a joy in late winter in a bright yellow cluster with a wonderful scent.
• The Berberis family of shrubs include evergreen and deciduous varieties. I particularly like the evergreen, sharp leaved Berberis Darwinii with orange flowers.
• Pyracantha or the Firethorn is popular with orange-scarlet berries. Try the freely available Pyracatha coccinea lalandii
• Roses particularly the Rugarosa and wild species can be a feast of prickles to suit most occasions.
• Holly is planted just outside my window in a mixed hedge that the birds love.

Other Prickly Shrubs to Consider

• Hawthorns and Blackthorns
• Barberry
• Gorse
• Rosa Fruhlings and other rambling roses.
• Chaenomeles x superba ‘Pink Lady’
• Mahonia
• Berberis thunbergii or darwinii