Hedges/shrubs to protect the side of our house

[collierd]

Hello

I have been given some useful advice for improving privacy and attracting wildlife to my back garden previously.

I am looking for some additional advice regarding the side of my house

At the moment we have an hedge (standard privet) - which did look nice when we moved in 2 years ago
The problem is people have a tendancy of pushing each other into it or reaching over (more like climbing) to knock on our window

The hedge is now damaged beyond repair

I am looking to replace it with something a bit tougher, preferably pricklier (to keep people off it and away from our house), preferably quick growing and preferably reasonably attractive, to prevent this.
Also something that can typically be bought/planted starting around 1/2m + (if possible)

Currently, it stretches about 5 metres, is about 1 1/5 metres deep and about 1 1/2 metres high
It is at the side of the house, exposed to a path and road

Does anybody have any good suggestions please?
What sort of cost would I be looking at?
Sorry, i'm not much of a gardener and am starting to get into it

Thank you

Damian.

[nightshade]

The shrub Berberis is stock proof and carries Wicked thorns but may be banned by the Geneva convention http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/securityhedging.html these people are specialists and should be very helpful.In any event you may have to put up tempory fencing while the new hedge grows

[Alan]

How about Pyracantha or our Common Hawthorn!

Why is berberis being banned?

[Imaginos]

Hi Collierd
This link may help http://www.wildlife-gardening.org.uk...\new-hedge.xml

[nightshade]

Hi Alan just a joke see the emoticon,Berbris is wicked stuff one of my lads fell into a bush and we were picking out thorns for a week!

[Alan]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Hi Alan just a joke see the emoticon,Berbris is wicked stuff one of my lads fell into a bush and we were picking out thorns for a week!

Whoops, sorry Nightshade, missed the emoticon I don't think it's my day today

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Imaginos

Hi Collierd
This link may help http://www.wildlife-gardening.org.uk...\new-hedge.xml

Great website Imaginos, thanks for posting the link

[Woodlandguy]

Variagated holly. Both pretty and painful. Or Eleagnus. The variagated yellow one. It is nice to look at and has thorns inside, less than the holly though. Both are fast growing and can be hedged well.

wg

[Varan Komodosky]

Personally I would suggest Blackthorn as a method of social control. Nobody and nothing wants to get thru that. Ever. Pretty in spring and gives lovely sloes to make fancy gin.

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by nightshade

The shrub Berberis is stock proof and carries Wicked thorns but may be banned by the Geneva convention

I agree. One of my aunts had a Berberis that I used to trim for her. Even wearing thick leather gloves the thorns got to me. Its lethal.

p.s. Perhaps I should have worn educated gloves.