Advice on thorny but pretty bushes please?

[PookieK]

We are moving to a new house soon and the garden backs into a railway embankment. There is no fence separating the back of the garden from the embankment (see pic) which I don't mind but I would like to plant some prickly bushes with bright flowers/attractive leaves if possible along the boundary. More as a barrier for any potential intruders to be honest. Has anyone got any suggestions? It is a south facing garden so get lots of light but there are some big trees and bushes too. I love pottering about in the garden but am not very knowledgable on plants, so advice gratefully received - many thanks 🌳🌳🌿🌸🌺 😀.

[TiggyD]

Pyrocanthus(sp?) or "Fire Thorn". Picklyx1000. Great berries in the winter. Good for birds. Reliable grower.

Berberis. Some good foliage colours and some have very dangerous spikes.

A trained blackberry bush?

[TheNoodlesIncident]

Hollies would be good too, the variegated varieties will stand out nicely against the bank. Second pyracantha too, the thorns are vicious but have lovely blossom in May followed by bright berries in red, orange or yellow.

Also climbing roses would be nicely snaggy and have pretty flowers too. (Not all varieties have thorns but some have lots - some nurseries note how thorny they are on their websites, which is handy).

[Cathpot]

Ornamental quince? We inherited one with the house when we moved in and it's lovely and REALLY prickly

[PookieK]

Ooo some great ideas here, thank you so much 😊. Really looking forward to getting in now and seeing what comes up in the rest of the garden through the seasons 🌲🌳🌱🌿🌺🍂🍁