Defensive Planting to Keep Your Property Naturally Secure

Long before technology provided us with home security solutions, people used strategically placed plants to protect their properties from intruders and, years later, they still have their uses.

Thorny, spiky and dense bushes and hedging can make the perfect complement to home security measures such as security lighting and CCTV, and can also boost the effectiveness of physical measures like fences and gates.

Strategically chosen and positioned planting can create an effective barrier to help deter intruders, with the added benefit of enhancing the landscape.

The question is, when you’re creating this added layer of perimeter security, which are the right plants to choose? And how best to use them to your advantage? Let’s take a look.

How best to choose and use defensive planting?

There are various ways in which you can use defensive planting to protect your property’s perimeter. But how to choose the right plants?

An important point is to select plants that suit your soil type, the position they’ll be planted in, (sun/shade) and the typical climate.

Be sure to consider the height and spread to which the plant will grow when mature, and always choose UK native species. Sticking to UK native plants is important because they support UK ecosystems, require less fertilisers and maintenance, and are better adapted to the local environment (which means they need less water).

Finally, make sure you regularly prune your new planting scheme to keep it healthy and presentable, and to prevent it growing out of control.

Now onto planting.

Firstly, when positioning your natural defence system, make sure you don’t block vital escape routes. This is especially important in the case of upstairs windows.

Other items you should be mindful of leaving clear are utility meters, vents, access hatches or anything else that may need access for maintenance.

Fences, walls and windows

If you’re looking to prevent intruders from scaling a fence or wall, a spiky hedge or bush that spreads up and across it can provide a decorative barrier. It will also act as a deterrent, putting off intruders who are concerned about cutting themselves or ripping their clothes and leaving their DNA behind.

A good tip is to add larger specimens at the back of your planting area, and smaller ones at the front. This creates a barrier, but keeps your line of vision clear.

You could also try training a climbing plant along the top of a fence, perhaps on a trellis.

If you have a first floor window that’s easily accessible, you could consider placing low-growing, spiky plants underneath them to make access more of a challenge. Do check how tall these plants are likely to grow though, as you could end up with an obstructed view or blocked light.

Finally, a cacti-filled window box on the edge of a balcony or under a window can often be enough to stop an intruder in their tracks.

Climbing plants

If you have a drainpipe that could potentially serve as an in-road for an intruder, training a climbing plant up a trellis alongside it could work well. Do be sure to regularly clear any dropped leaves from the guttering though to prevent it becoming blocked.

It’s important to bear in mind that plants on outside walls can sometimes lead to damp problems inside due to them preventing walls from drying out quickly following rain. This is usually, however, only an issue on south west facing walls that are prone to driving rain.

Also consider that large climbing plants that attach themselves to walls can pose a risk to the structure of older buildings, those with shallow foundations, or those built on clay soils.

4 UK native defensive plants to help protect your home

Let’s take a look now at a selection of UK native plants that could potentially protect your property by complementing your other home security measures.

1. Blackthorn

Blackthorn is a deciduous thorny tree that grows into a bush shape. Plant this in your garden and you’ll enjoy beautiful white blossom in early spring, and sloe fruits later in the summer.

Blackthorn will grow up to seven metres in height, with a spread of around four metres. The thorns stick out at right angles on intertwined branches, and can be up to 5cm long.

Prefers moist but well-drained chalk, clay, sand or loamy soil; does well planted in a north, south, east or west facing position, and can handle a sheltered or exposed spot.

2. Holly

Holly is most notably associated with Christmas, with its glossy dark green leaves and bright red berries. It’s an evergreen species, so retains its leaves year-round, providing protection 365 days a year courtesy of its spiny leaves.

Holly trees can actually grow up to 15 metres in height with a 4-8 metre spread, but with regular pruning you can keep them more compact.

Prefers moist but well-drained chalk, clay, sand or loamy soil; works well in a north, south, east or west facing position, and will grow best in full sun to partial shade, sheltered or exposed.

Do bear in mind that the berries of certain holly cultivars can be toxic to humans and pets, so take care when choosing your planting location.

3. Hawthorn

Hawthorn, also known as the May tree because it blossoms during the month of May, is a bushy deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 metres in height with a 4-8 metre spread. The thorny branches provide a good level of defence.

The red fruits of the hawthorn tree are known as haws, and can be made into wine, jellies and ketchups.

Prefers moist but well-drained soil and will grow well in chalk, clay, sand or loam. Will do well in a north, south, east or west facing position, and prefers full sun or partial shade, although the blossom and fruits are more likely to appear in full sun.

4. Pyracantha

Also known as firethorn due to its bright flame-coloured berries and prickly stems, pyracantha is a very attractive and easy to maintain evergreen shrub that’s wildlife friendly and suitable for most gardens.

Grow it as hedging, a freestanding shrub or train it against a wall, and enjoy the protection it provides as well as the beautiful colour throughout the seasons, with white blossom in the spring, dense green foliage year-round, and an abundance of yellow, orange or red berries in the autumn.

Prefers moderately fertile soil in the sun or partial shade. Very dry, free-draining soils and heavy clays are also fine as long as they are not prone to waterlogging.

Looking for home security solutions?

It’s good news that we can turn to Mother Nature to provide us with ways of keeping or homes safe and secure. Using planting alongside other security measures such as outdoor lighting, CCTV, motion sensors and intruder alarms can really help ramp up protection.

If you’re looking for home security solutions to implement alongside your defensive planting, talk to Barry Bros Security. Our experts have been providing homeowners with tailored solutions for more than 70 years. For advice and expert recommendations, you are welcome to get in touch.