dense growth, keep, adhere to, conceal
葆 centers on dense, enveloping growth that conceals or preserves something within. The meanings 'keep' and 'adhere to' extend this idea of holding or clinging tightly, like vegetation covering and protecting.
葆 combines 艹 (grass) with 保, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of protecting or keeping. The character suggests dense vegetation that covers and preserves.
Picture thick grass 艹 wrapping around and protecting something 保 underneath, like a hidden treasure kept safe by dense growth.
For ホウ, imagine a dense thicket that you must hoe through to reveal what is concealed: hoe -> ホウ, and the grass keeps it hidden.