PRICKLY ISSUE
Digging In
The plant list is long when it comes to growing a barrier by a window in your house.
Q: I have a window on the east wall of the house where I’d like to plant something mean and impenetrable. What plants should I be looking for? — S.B., West Side
A: There is a long list of plants that can grow on that eastern exposure and can grow into very vicious living barriers for you. Cactuses are the first plants to come to mind.
The tallish, many branched cholla under-planted with barrel or cow’s tongue cactus will keep most any ne’er–do– well at bay for sure. We had a monstrous cholla planted in the corner of our backyard as kids and it was a badge of honor if you could walk the wall and not get stuck by it! It kept out several who didn’t know it was there until it was too late too.
Now if cactuses aren’t your cup of tea, there are several sturdy evergreen plants to consider. One of my favorites, pyracantha, can grow into a stout thorny, yet lovely barrier. The long oval-shaped leaves hide absolutely wicked thorns worn all over the branches. In early spring the pyracantha blooms with brilliant clusters of wee white blooms. The plants then set berries that, depending on the variety, range from true orange through the reddest color you’ve ever seen. Not a very rapid grower, it’ll take a couple of years to become truly defensive for you.
Next on my list of favorites would be barberry. There are several varieties that can at maturity grow to several heights and widths. In this family you can find both evergreen types and some that are deciduous. But the spines they wear are areal and formidable. Most barberry sport yellow to yellow-orange blooms and create blue to blue-purple colored berries. The berries are a good winter food source for our local birds and that is a very good thing.
Another choice for you to seek out is mahonia or Oregon grape holly. The leaves of this creature are the deterrent. Looking and feeling a lot like the holly that is best known in the eastern United States — you know, the Christmas plant of song and decorations — the leathery leaves wear poky points that are nasty. In mild winter seasons the mahonia keeps the majority of its leaves. During really cold spells it can defoliate some but usually rebounds quickly the following growing season. It, too, will sport bright yellow clusters of flowers that turn a nifty cool-blue color as the season advances.
Although not very poky, the cotoneaster plant called red clusterberry ( C. parneyi) grows very thick and becomes near impenetrable. Trying to wade through a stand of the clusterberry would cut you up pretty badly. The plant offers blooms of whiteish-pink colors and do set berries.
Now all of the above, except for the cactuses, will grow best if watered deeply, perhaps every 10 days, as they get settled into their environment. Made to work to survive, with just barely there care, they’ll grow but certainly not look at all intimidating. Then, if you want more color, consider growing roses. Climbing roses, shrub roses, carpet roses, sub-zero roses and bush-type roses can grow into a very poky strong fragrant barrier to enjoy for years to come!
So whatever you choose, and this is just a partial list, you can grow a lovely living wall to help keep you safe. Happy Digging In!