By Andip
Buckinghamshire,
United Kingdom 
Hi all,
Does anyone have suggestions for a quick growing shrub to fill a gap, that could act as a deterrerent to intruders and provide berries/seed to birds?
If it looks good too, it would be a bonus.
I'm thinking of pyracantha as a basic option, but it's always nice to try something less obvious.
Thanks, Andi.
25 Apr, 2012
Answers
Thanks.
I was considering Berberis too so I've ordered some seed - 3 different types: Thungebii, Darwinii & Juliana.
Also ordered some Rosa Rugosa for good measure too.
May have to wait a while to fill the gap, but the fun is in the wait.
25 Apr, 2012
One for the blackbirds in June, Amelanchier. No prickles though.
25 Apr, 2012
Maybe mahonia? - quite evil thorns..
25 Apr, 2012
A bit off the wall but have you considered a rose? Some have really nasty thorns (I've trained a procumbent rose called Grouse and that has evil little thorns.) Then you have the hips after too.
25 Apr, 2012
If you dont want anything too dense there is - Rubus cockburnianus, the white-stemmed bramble. Looks gorgeous in Winter.
26 Apr, 2012
These are all great suggestions.
Thanks to everyone.
27 Apr, 2012
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Berberis? There are lots of varieties, some evergreen and a range of coloured foliage, with flowers and berries. Very prickly.
25 Apr, 2012