“Hedging” the Future of Villa La Pietra

Hedge – noun \ ‘hej \

Definition :a fence or boundary made up of a thick growth of shrubs or low trees
– verb hedged; hedging
Definition: 1: to surround or protect with a thick growth of shrubs or low trees
· The yard is hedged by shrubs.
2: to avoid giving a direct or exact answer or promise
· The more questions I asked, the more he hedged.
– intransitive verb, hedged; hedging
Definition of hedge: :to reduce possible losses in speculative transactions by engaging in offsetting transactions (as futures trading)

Merriam-Webster

(Event opened to NYU Students only.)

Villa La Pietra has miles of hedges. They provide structure in forms which rival anything made in brick or stone. They create garden rooms, hide things we don’t want to see, frame views and produce features that lead the eye. We even have an open-air theater made of hedges.

Climate change and attacks from successive waves of pests and diseases now combine to threaten the future of these indispensible elements of the garden we love. Would you like to find out more? Could you spare the time to help replant sections of damaged hedges across the estate or would you prefer to simply hedge round this pressing issue and do nothing? Your action now will ensure our hedges continue to provide pleasure to future generations of NYU students when they study at Villa La Pietra in years to come.

Nick Dakin Elliot, Horticultural Associate at Villa La Pietra, will talk about the history of hedges, what they do for us, why ours are under threat and how you may help.

Light lunch to follow.