Native blackberry rubus

[Anonymous]

Any comments on the wisodom or folly of planting a native native blackberry vine?I thought to create a thicket in a far unused corner of my yard in L.A. city to help deter feral cats. I bought the plant along with some other natives but thenI heard that blackberries will likely draw and harbor rodents in my yard. Given a choice between cats or rats, I'll take the cats.I have since bought a rosa californica to create a thicket but I am still wondering what to do with my blackberry vine which is thriving in it's one gallon pot and threatening to spill out..Any comments on the blackberry/rodent connection? Will I regret planting such a rampant vine weed? </p>

[Anonymous]

Jeff,Whether the Blackberry harbors rats to any greater degree than any other thicket, is up for discussion. I peronally don't know, but would not be suprised to see a rat taking advantage of the dense habitat you have planted for them. Rosa californica is also fairly dense for that matter. Perhaps the seasonal fruit is rumored to be an attractant? I'm a skeptic with rat stories since it seems they always eminate from folks who have a clean, green, everyday kind of yard with little in the way of interest or authenticity. Sorry about that huge generalization.

My concern would not be about rats but about the Monster you are planing to plant. IT WILL EAT YOU! Or at least it will try to gobble you up and your house and garden, etc. The term 'Quick Growing' was coined for this plant. And it is MEAN. OK, I admit I'm bios since I have had to remove such masses and find them among the most tenacious. The Rose you are considering planting is second or third on the mean list. The thorns even curve backwards so that once they pierce you, any struggling make them go in a bit deeper.

OK. Lets forget about whether they harbor rats or not. Skip the invasion of the thorn monster part. Will either of these plants in any way reduce the number of feral cats coming into your yard? Most likely not. These creatures WILL GO where they want to go and your attempted deterants in plant form, will likely have little if any effect on their entering your yard. Sorry if I am Mr. Gloom today.Consider asking another site like &lt;www.feralcatsgone.com> only kidding about natural remedies for curtailing their activities in Your yard. I don't believe a mass of natives, regardless of how thorny they may be will stop them.BEST of luck, really,DanPS. Now, if you have a really massive sized yard and just want to increase the habitat provided for birds, maybeAnd if yo do plant them despite my ranting, since they grow and spread by rhizomes perhaps the use of a root barrier should at least be considered in helping it stay within the bounds you decide.</p>

[Anonymous]

jeff - I agree to some extent with the other reply. In my experience the neither the roses nor the black berry will do you any good in preventing use of your yard except perhaps by people. Both plants once established are difficult to remove. The local SPCA may have live traps for the feral cats, they do also charge a fee to drop the critters off once you have them. A dog would work if you don't mind the work that comes along with it. Got any old or unmatched socks? Take the biggest one and stuff it with the other socks and soak the the thing in ammonia and hang them at intervals around your yard. Or, just set out bottles of ammonia at the areas where the cats most frequently enter your yard. This in essence marks your territory. Those are a few options with out violence. Ben</p>

[Anonymous]

YIKES! Well, that settles it, my blackberry vine will be 'planted' in the trash can before it escapes from its nursery pot! Unless of course someone in L.A. wants a free native blackberry vine.I may have to re-think the rosa thicket too but I think it will be fine since it will be contained on three sides which should confine it to the small area I had in mind.Never heard of the ammonia/old sock method of repelling cats but I'll give it a try. The neighbors might think I'm crazy hanging old socks around, but hey if it worksThanks guys for your input!</p>

[Anonymous]

Another alternative for a thorny thicket/hedge would be Nevin's Barberry Mahonia nevinii. We planted two and the fastest one was on a hill that got a little more sun and also fairly regular water the first couple of summers. The drier one was slow growing but is taking off now.

It forms a nice tangle, and has lovely yellow blooms in spring which turn into translucent red berries in the fall.

Another reliable large thorny bush is Mahonia 'Golden Abundance'. Darker glossy leaves, with big yellow blooms and blue-purple berries. We really love this plant: see photos and info at http://www.cybmotion.com/habitat/plantofthemonth/2001_09.html

Both plants are great for birds and wildlife. We don't mind a few rats - we have a family of red tailed hawks and two resident owls that gotta eat too!

Trish