Benjes hedges are cost-effective alternatives to conventional property boundaries. They also provide a natural habitat for many useful animals.
Hedges are accurately planted, grown and trimmed regularly. The Benjeshecke is an exception. The deadwood hedges are not necessarily compatible with an English lawn and show garden, but they can certainly impress with their rustic and natural appearance and become a paradise for native birds and other beneficial insects.
In the following we will explain what a Benjes hedge means and how you can create it yourself in a few simple steps.
What is a Benjes hedge?
As mentioned earlier, this form of hedge consists of dead twigs and branches. These are not disposed of after the trees and shrubs have been cut, but piled up like a kind of wall. The hedges can serve as a boundary as well as a privacy screen.
The dense network of branches is an ideal retreat for birds or hedgehogs. It will take some time for the dead wood to turn into lush green. Over time, the approach of seeds and the seeds present in the bird droppings create a natural and varied hedge greening, which surprises the viewer.
Tip: If this process seems too tedious, you can help out and plant the deadwood yourself.
Benjes hedges have a long history in agriculture. Farmers made boundary markers with their clippings and piled them between the fields and pastures. Those who are alert in nature will discover these natural limitations in many places and will be able to take one or the other suggestion for the design of the Benjes hedge in their own garden.
By the way: The hedge owes its name to Hermann Benjes. Although he did not invent the ecological habitat, he described it in detail in the 1980s.
What are the advantages of a Benjes hedge?
- No disposal of green waste
- inexpensive alternative to fences and planted hedges
- natural and rustic appearance
- ideal for cottage gardens
- natural greening through seed flight
- ecologically valuable
- Nesting place for birds
- Hedgehogs, small animals and insects can hibernate
When is the right time to create a Benjes hedge?
The Benjeshecke is preferably planted during the winter months. This can be started after the trees and shrubs have been pruned in autumn. Anyone who completes construction between October and March can expect plants and animals to have settled in the dead wood by early summer.
What is needed?
- Branches or Stakes
- Pruning shears
- Saw
- Work Gloves
- Sturdy shoes
- Weatherproof Clothing
So that a scaffolding can be created, which takes up the green waste, branches or poles of the same length are needed. The branches should be between one and 1.5 meters in length and at least five centimeters in diameter. If you don't have the right branches in stock, you can get wooden posts from the hardware store.
Tip: If the construction of the Benjeshecke is to follow ecological standards, untreated wood should be used when purchasing posts.
You can theoretically create a Benjes hedge of any size. The height of the scaffolding must be adjusted accordingly. Benje hedges made of fir or birch wood are preferred.
Creating a Benjeshecke - step by step
Step 1: Select location
When choosing the location, it should be noted that it is a light and airy location. A shady location is less ideal and delays the natural greening of the area.
Tip: The Benjes hedge should get at least three to four hours of sunshine a day.
Those who create the ideal site conditions accelerate plant growth and prevent fungal infestation.
Step 2: Determine measurements
The length and height of the hedge depend on personal ideas and the local conditions. About 1.5 meters is common. The material can be stacked well in this way. If you want to create a natural privacy screen, you can also pile up hedges two meters high. The length depends on the available space and the amount of green waste that has already been produced or will be produced in the future. If you have the necessary prerequisites, you can also use Benjes hedges as natural property borders.
Step 3: Attach stakes
In order for the construction to hold up, the support pillars must be anchored sufficiently in the ground.
Tip: A perforated spade allows you to work particularly precisely and you will get deep holes with a small diameter. This ensures that the pillars are very stable.
The distance between the individual posts depends on the length of the green cuttings. A distance of about 50 centimeters is recommended so that material of different lengths can be stacked without problems. The hedge width can be varied. If you have enough green waste, you can also work with half a meter here.
Step 4: Stack green waste
Once all the posts have been fixed in the ground, the basic framework has been created and you can start bringing in the deadwood. The twigs and branches are woven into the construction and lightly pressed.
Tip: Evergreen sections create noise and should be used sparingly. Care should also be taken with sawn timber from coniferous trees. As a result, the soil quickly becomes too acidic.
Over time, the lower branches will begin to rot and the hedge will sag. This creates new space that can be filled with green waste.
Green hedge
After planting the Benjes hedge, the hobby gardener can lean back and let nature take its course. Seeds are brought in and develop into plants. However, it takes between 50 and 100 years for a stable ecosystem to develop. Supplementary planting helps speed up this process.
Plants are planted in the hedge at irregular intervals. This not only causes faster greening, the planted shrubs give the Benje hedge additional stability.
The following plants are suitable for greening:
- Cornelian
- chokeberry
- medlar
- Rock Pear
- Sea Buckthorn
- Sloe
If you want Benjes hedges in bloom, you can help with nasturtium, vetches or clematis. Benjes hedges can be permanently greened with ivy or Virginia creeper. The Benje hedge quickly becomes part of the garden and blends into the surrounding landscape.
Create a decorative transition
Initially, the Benjeshecke is not really an inviting sight. This can be concealed with a decorative plant strip made of wild perennials. This decoration idea can be advantageous in a sunny locationimplement.
The following plants are suitable:
Hollyhock "Nigra"
| Hollyhock 'Nigra' (Alcea rosea 'Nigra') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | erect, leafy peduncles; clumpy |
| Growth: | 200 - 250 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 60 cm |
| Flower: | blackred; July to September |
| Location: | sunny |
| Floor: | fresh, well drained, rich in humus and nutrients |
Pink Pixi Mullein
| Mullein 'Pink Pixie' (Verbascum x cultorum 'Pink Pixie') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright stems, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 150 - 200 cm |
| Growth: | 80 - 90 cm |
| Flower: | pink-purple; June to August |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | loamy, sandy, humic, well drained |
Viper's Bugloss
| Bugloss (Echium vulgare) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, forming rosettes |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 60 cm |
| Flower: | purple, blue, pink; May to October |
| Location: | sunny |
| Floor: | rocky to loamy, dry to moderately dry, poor in humus and nutrients |
Electricane
| Elecampane (Inula helenium) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 180 - 200 cm |
| Growth: | 100 - 200 cm |
| Flower: | yellow; July to August |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained, nutritious, humic |
Wild Teasel
| Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | herbaceous, erect stems |
| Growth: | 150 - 200 cm |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Flower: | light pink; July to August |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, nutritious |