Prickly shrubs for under windows? (landscape, growing, grass, trees)

[mamom1]

I want to get some kind of prickly shrubs/bushes that I can plant under my windows to keep burglars out(and teenagers in). I've read about the spanish bayonet but I'm getting mixed reviews about how big they get. It seems they are slow growing but I've seen photos where they are huge. Is there a small plant/shrub similar in nature the the spanish bayonet that stays under 2 feet or so? Right now there is nothing there so I have a blank slate. The areas I want to plant gets morning sun only.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Feel free to take the fully grown holly bushes from in front of my house, haha. Mine are huge, and I swear get spikier whenever I hack them back from encroaching on the walkway, but they deter me from powerwashing the house (even with heavy duty coveralls), and I think burglars would steer clear

[Reactionary]

Just kidding, but look at Pyracantha (commonly and painfully known as Firethorn):

Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)

Pyracantha makes an excellent hedge. The shrub can also be used as a barrier or as cover for slopes in hot, dry areas. Pyracantha grows well in containers. It is not recommended for planting around the foundation of a single story building, because it grows too large

HGIC 1072 Pyracantha : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

[Hemlock140]

For more dramatic color spring-fall but plenty of sharp thorns, I recommend
Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry. Leaves can be green, pink or burgundy
(my favorite) and turn bright colors in fall. They grow to about 8' tall and can be sheared like a hedge though I prefer a more natural look. If a burglar wants to get in that badly they will just place a tarp over any bushes you have, but it should at least slow the down.

[Charles]

What about roses? Easy to care for and hearty. I get mine for free off Craigslist from people just giving them away.

[silibran]

I agree about barberries. Pretty colored foliage and really painful thorns. Grow almost anywhere.

If the site is quite sunny and the ground is somewhat barren, you might try prickly pear. But keep your kids and pets strictly away from it.

[gardener34]

Barberries, they look like a regular shrub.
Roses are about as thorny as you get but you can have maintenance issues.

[Reactionary]

Ack, Japanese barberries (Berberis thunbergii) are listed as an invasive species.

Invasive Species: Plants - Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

OP - Yucca / Spanish Bayonet grows slowly, ~3' to 6' height, plus has ~6' 'flower'. Some species / varieties are native to North Carolina (and much of North America). IMO it's pretty and is a nice exotic-looking accent, but it can spread (lots of seeds). Parts of it are edible, but I've never tried to eat it. It can draw blood.

IMO I wouldn't plant a prickly shrub (or any plant) so close to a window that I couldn't maintain the window. However I do have some switchgrasses planted 'near' some windows (they can draw blood too).

Here's a list of recommended NC native plants:

Recommended Native Species - Growing Native! - NC Native Plant Society

Here's a list of NC native plants:

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

[J&Em]

Lots of nasty plants have been listed so far.

For something that looks innocent and very "traditional" landscape try a Holly that only has one very sharp point. -American Holly 'Clarrissa'- They don't get tall, they stay dense and have pretty berries. Shrubs: Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' The ones I have hurt like heck from that single point.

Another popular "shrub" is the knockout rose. At the moment I have several puncture wounds from pruning mine (through leather gloves) and they are excellent at grabbing clothing and holding on. Roses: Rosa Knock Out

[kettlepot]

My parents planted holly around the windows of our house to keep prying eyes at bay.

As for the pyracantha, the birds love it when those berries get a little overripe. Plant the pyracanthas where you can watch our drunken avian friends wobble through the air.