Thursday 25/06/15
Not only is having plants in and around the house is good for your psychological well-being, the right plants can also provide you with an additional level of security for your home. With a little effort, they can add an aesthetically pleasing aspect to an otherwise empty and unimaginative yard.
When purchasing your plants, I strongly advise you buy them from a nursery instead of a department store. Plants aren’t cheap, so you want to be sure the plants you are buying have been cared for by someone with an interest in gardening. Also, when you purchase plants from a nursery, you will be able to get advice as to which plants will grow successfully in and around your home.
There are three types of plants I recommend for home security; cacti, rose bushes, and bougainvillea. I’m also a fan of blackberry bushes, because they provide both food and security; but we can’t grow them in Australia any more because they are now classed as a noxious weed.
Cacti range in appearance from tall and tree-like, down to something that looks like a lethal, spiky ball. For the purpose of home security you need to select a variety that won’t grow too tall or wide for its designated area and has long, sharp spines. Everyone has fond memories of being spiked by a cactus at least once in their life. As you remember, the spines broke off at skin level, making them very difficult to remove. A row of cacti growing under any window will serve as a visual and psychological deterrent to anyone thinking about breaking into your house. If you live in an apartment, cacti live quite happily in planter boxes. I like cacti because they require little attention and are difficult to kill.
Rose bushes are another deterrent for a would-be burglar. The thick thorns that cover a mature plant can easily tear through skin and clothing. There are many different varieties of rose bush; so look for one with flowers you like the look and smell of, but more important are the thorns. Make sure the variety you choose has thick, sharp thorns. Rose bushes can be planted inside your fence and under your windows to create a pretty, but unpleasant thorny hedge. Roses can be difficult to grow in some areas, so be sure to ask for advice when selecting your plants. If you plant roses, you must be prepared to prune the plants as required.
Bougainvillea vines are ideal for home security. The vine is pretty to look at and has long, thick spikes that are very unpleasant to touch. Like the rosebush, bougainvillea vines aren’t a plant you want to make contact with. With a little effort, they can be easily trained to grow along the inside of your fence.
Generally, burglars aren’t looking for a challenge. They want a job that provides high return for minimal effort. If your house doesn’t look like a quick in-and-out, a burglar is likely to look for an easier target. The plants I’ve suggested for your yard might just convince a would-be burglar to ignore your home and look for an easier target somewhere else.