hedge

hedge ornamental or protective barrier composed of shrubs or small trees growing in close rows. The plants may be allowed to grow naturally or may be trimmed to various heights and shapes (see topiary work ). In the temperate zone, thorny hedge plants include barberry, Osage orange, buckthorn, and hawthorn. Popular evergreen hedge plants are box, privet, azalea, yew, arborvitae, rhododendron, mountain laurel, and holly. Decorative deciduous shrubs often used are lilac, forsythia, mock orange, spiraea, euonymus, and viburnum. Hedges may also serve in erosion control, e.g., Rosa rugosa planted along highway embankments and the rows of poplars, hemlocks, and other trees planted as shelter belts.

hedge Hedges were planted as boundaries (Mic. 7: 4) and to protect vineyards (Mark 12: 1); and could symbolize God's protection (Job 1: 10). The word is translated ‘fence’ by NRSV and NJB or ‘wall’ by REB (Mark 12: 1).

hedge / hej/ • n. a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs: she was standing barefoot in a corner of the lawn, trimming the hedge. ∎  a contract entered into or asset held as a protection against possible financial loss: inflation hedges such as real estate and gold. ∎  a word or phrase used to allow for additional possibilities or to avoid overprecise commitment, for example, etc., often, usually, or sometimes. • v. [tr.] 1. (often be hedged) surround or bound with a hedge: a garden hedged with yews. ∎  (hedge something in) enclose. 2. limit or qualify (something) by conditions or exceptions: experts usually hedge their predictions, just in case. ∎  [intr.] avoid making a definite decision, statement, or commitment: she hedged around the one question she wanted to ask. 3. protect (one's investment or an investor) against loss by making balancing or compensating contracts or transactions: the company hedged its investment position on the futures market. PHRASES: hedge one's bets avoid committing oneself when faced with a difficult choice.DERIVATIVES: hedg·er n.