Barrier Planting

Barrier Planting

Barrier planting, also referred to as environmental security, is a term used to describe selective planting made up of species that would create a blockade to deter unwanted visitors.  The technique of barrier planting is much more appealing and environmentally friendly as opposed to fencing and barbed wire and may also be used to reinforce and  disguise and existing  boundary fence.

The types of plants used need to fit in with the overall environment if the setting is semi-rural or out in the open native plants should be used. A native plant is one that occurs naturally in the respective country and therefore should establish and adapt to the planting site better (Crewe and Nantwich, 2005). Some of the native barrier plants that would be suitable for the border of The Wolfgat Nature Reserve and C Section of Monwabisi Park include:

• Acacia Karroo, Sweet thorn tree (wide-spread)
• Ballota Africana, Kattekruid (widely distributed in the southern and western parts of South Africa)
• Carpobrotus Edulis, Sour fig (Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Cape south coast)
• Cissampelos Capensis, Dawidjiewortel (widely distributed in South Africa’s western parts)
• Dodonaea Angustifolia, Sand olive (excepting for South Africa’s central regions, it is widely distributed)
• Eriocephalus Africanus, Wild rosemary (distribution is mainly in the Eastern- and Western Cape and Namaqualand)
• Protea Repens Suikerbos, Sugarbush (widely distributed in the Western Cape)
• Tarchonanthus Camphorates, Wild camphor bush (wide distribution)

All of the aforementioned plants offer specific benefits to wildlife and handicaps to intruders. Each of them has medicinal properties and some produce edible fruits, but none are threatening to human beings.

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