A Benjes hedge is much more than a loose accumulation of prunings. So that the green wall turns into an island of life after it has been laid, it depends on the right care. These instructions explain all measures for the successful development from a pile of dead wood to an ecologically valuable tree hedge with privacy protection.

The Benjeshecke should be refilled regularly

Maintaining a Benjes hedge is that easy

In the initial phase, care is limited to stacking the clippings in a suitable order. Gather thick branches at the bottom to create habitat for small mammals such as hedgehogs. The upper wall area is the right place for thinner clippings because birds like to place their nests at a safe distance from the ground. The actual care of a Benjes hedge focuses on the following precautions:

  • Top up with fresh clippings regularly as soon as the pile of dead wood settles
  • Either cut back unwelcome, fast-growing shrubs radically or clear them completely
  • Sporadic thin layers of leaves and soil between the pruning for better stability

Give preference to slow-growing fruit trees and cuttings from deciduous trees to create the Benjes hedge. Needle twigs should be integrated sparingly because they acidify the soil over time.

Bridging the gap between deadwood and living hedges - tips for planting

In the course of decades of experience in the care of Benjes hedges, it turned out that additional planting is beneficial. By successively planting native wild fruit trees that have been brought forward, you control the growth of the tree hedge in the desired direction. Perfect candidates are the following species and cultivars:

  • Large-fruited sloe (Prunus spinosa)
  • Pear Pear 'Prince William' (Amelanchier canadensis)
  • Barberry, sour thorn (Berberis vulgaris)
  • Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
  • Wild roses, such as burnet rose or dog rose

All of the recommended wild fruit bushes will adorn your Benjes hedge with beautiful blossoms. At the same time, the flowers and berries serve as a valuable source of food for winged and feathered garden dwellers. Thorn-armored shrubs, such as the barberry, protect bird's nests from voracious cats.

tips

Over time, the stacked clippings put more pressure on the support posts. Now the focus is on the robust branches of berry bushes to stabilize the side walls of a Benje hedge. Braiding tendrils of blackberry or raspberry bushes between the wooden posts keeps the wall balanced.

Category:

Garden design