Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Hop to it

It has to be said that Humulus lupulus 'Aureus' is much easier to grow than it is to pronounce. Since learning of the golden hops, I now delight in spotting it in domestic gardens, public parks and even as an escapee by the side of roads bordering residential areas.

The almost chartreuse colour of its leaves brighten up the darkest of corners and add an early season vibrancy that contrasts well with the blossoms of spring flowering shrubs. 
My plant took one season to really establish its roots before bursting into vigorous growth this year, twirling its multiple stems ever higher to clothe a metal arch that roughly divides the productive and ornamental elements of my garden.

Its virtues are not singular. As well as a visually appealing plant from spring through to the onset of winter, it provides a generous habitat to a range of insect life. Admittedly, not all these insects are desired or enhance the plant for periods of time, but such is the circle of life in a garden. Early in the season when the growth is very fresh, aphids cluster on the supple stems, drawing on the vital sugars within to drive a population explosion unmatched elsewhere in the garden. Their honeydew secretions are usually heavy, encouraging a bloom of sooty mould to develop on the leaf surfaces. If you are not a advocate of spraying to treat this, it is advisable to have a nearby plant in dramatic flower during this time with which to distract any visitors to your garden!



At around the same time, you may notice that some of the leaves undergo attack by caterpillars. In my case, this happened only on the lower leaves and the stronger the plant, the less overall impact this has as the base continues to send up increasing numbers of stems, generally disguising the less than perfect leaves with new growth. And you can take heart in the knowledge that you have provided for another generation of butterflies in your garden.

The third and final insect life I spotted on my plant was most welcome and was a direct result of the first invasion. The presence of aphids had attracted ladybirds to lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves and by early July, the plant was host to a new generation of ladybird larvae. Often mistaken for plant pests due to their somewhat ferocious, if minuscule, appearance, these carnivores will munch their way through thousands of aphids on their short journey to becoming a fully grown ladybird.

And while they're busy hoovering the last remains of juicy greenfly from the plant, your hops plant will quietly send forth one last burst of energy that results in the most delicate of flowers appearing from wispy terminal shoots. These are the hops flowers we might recognise from the brewing process, but if you're not planning any homemade beers, you can enjoy the pendulous flowers right through the autumn as they catch the sun and slowly turn the rich buttery colour from which they earn their name. 



11 comments:

  1. They should employ you as the publicist for the golden hop? Have you noticed birds taking advantage of the aphids.

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    1. I know, I've totally fallen in love with this plant. I definitely should get some commission from somewhere - there have been 2 purchases of this one by family and friends on my recommendation. Haven't noticed any birds on this plant particularly - I'm thinking it would be blue tits and the like?

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    2. Yes blue tits especially when feeding their young.

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  2. One of the first plants we planted in the garden and still going strong. Never troubled by caterpillars here..... yet. The downside is that the leaves sometimes get scorched . The rather abrasive foliage also troubles himself as he makes his way through the arch on which it grows to mow the lawn. I've told him that he must wear long sleeves as the hop is staying :)

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    1. Yes, they're not exactly the most tactile of plants are they? Definitely a case of 'look but don't touch'!

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  3. So - do you then use the golden hops plant as a "trap crop" to keep bugs from infesting the other areas of your garden?

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    1. Well, that wasn't the intended usage Jay, but it will be interesting to see in subsequent years if this is the result. I didn't really pay attention to what caterpillars were feeding on the leaves, but a quick Google on the subject reveals hops as secondary food sources for the caterpillars of Comma, Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies here in the UK – which is a real plus.

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  4. Lovely colour foliage, sounds like it would earn its keep in the garden from both aesthetic and practical views. My parents inheirited one over a trellis arbour bench and it certainly keeps my Dad fit keeping it cut back (which probably further encourages its growth!) but it always looks a picture,framed over the seat and with a passion flower intertwining through it.
    Great and informative post, thankyou!
    Gill xx

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    1. Thanks Gill, I like the idea of a passionfruit growing through the hops. Maybe I'll add a climber to the mix next year.

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  5. Beautiful plant and garden. An inspiring and interesting blog. I love gardening. Maybe I'm your newest follower. Thank you for sharing. I invite you to visit my blog.
    Endah
    Indonesia

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    1. Hi Endah, thanks for stopping by to read and leave a comment. I'll definitely pop over to visit your blog soon.

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