Hedge & Hedge Doors

The hedge of a traditional Korean garden is called chwibyeong in Korean, which literally means ‘jade-green folding screen.’ It is live fence of plants, and is an element of a garden that recreates nature. The boundary hedge has a door. The hedge in the garden of Changdeokgung palace is erected in front of Juhamnu Pavilion and forms a boundary between the areas of Juhamnu/ Seohyanggak. The hedge, of course, has gates or doors. Five doors including Eosumun Gate connect this area with the Buyeongjeong area. The hedge makes for a beautiful garden for Buyeongjeong Pavilion and is in harmony with the terraced garden and Buyongji Pond. A hedge is also seen at Chwiunjeong Pavilion, where the King used to take a nap. Chwiunjeong was within a garden; a wooden fence was erected around the garden; and then a hedge ran along the exterior of the wooden fence. The wooden fencegave the King privacy, and the hedge created harmony with the scenery of the garden. The hedge had an arched doorway, which can also be seen in the garden in the southern part of Yeonyeonghap (residence of the Crown Prince).