Humulus lupulus - Hop

Hops, in Latin Humulus lupulus, is a vigorous perennial vine that is both ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic. With beautiful foliage from spring to autumn, it is traditionally cultivated for its cones, which are the flowers of the female plants, used to flavour beer. Its young spring shoots can also be consumed like asparagus. In ornamental gardens, hops climb and cover any available support with a cloak of greenery. The seeds produce male and female plants, which can be identified during flowering. Hop seed germination is a bit technical and requires prior seed stratification. This plant thrives in moist soils, even clayey ones, as well as slightly shaded areas. 

Humulus lupulus belongs to the Cannabaceae family, just like hemp and hackberry. It is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa, where it inhabits cool and humid areas. Hops are found throughout most of our territory, including Corsica. It is a herbaceous vine that is perennial thanks to its large fleshy root, which regenerates all its aerial growth each year and rests underground during winter. Hops are a dioecious plant, meaning there are male and female plants. Once well rooted, a hop plant is capable of producing stems that can reach 8-10 metres (26-33 feet) in a season.

Hops develop herbaceous and voluble stems from their base in spring. They quickly entwine any available support. Their stems have a quadrangular section and bear small hooks that allow the plant to cling to its support. The leaves are nicely divided into 3 to 5 ovate, pointed, and serrated lobes. The colour of the leaves is a fresh green in spring, turning to a deeper green in summer. The inflorescences appear in summer, from June to August depending on the climate. On male plants, they take the form of light, semi-erect panicles, 7 to 14cm (3 to 6in) long, emerging from the axils of the leaves. The tiny flowers have 5 greenish sepals surrounding 5 stamens. The female flowers are cone-shaped catkins that are green-yellow in colour. After pollination by a male plant, seeds develop within the cones. The cones are ovoid in shape, have a scaly appearance, and are covered with a fragrant and powdery resin called lupulin. They are usually harvested in September. The fruits are globose and gray achenes, about 3mm (0in) long, each containing a single seed that will be dispersed by the wind.

In ornamental gardens, hops can quickly hide an unsightly fence or garden shed during the growing season. This vine's natural charm provides an excellent complement to a climbing rose and pairs well with a robust blue-flowered clematis like 'Blue Angel'. It gives new life to an old tree, conceals a tired garden shelter or unsightly structure, and adds a golden glow to a trellis or terrace arbor. The flowers, harvested in September, make beautiful dried bouquets. In the past, they were used to fill pillows to promote sleep.

Harvest: female flowers should be harvested when the cones are still closed, before the scales open. The young shoots are cut in spring when they are still tender. They can be cooked and prepared like asparagus.

The female inflorescences, the cones, have been used to flavour beer since the 8th century. Previously, hops were only used to ensure the preservation of beer. Currently (despite modern preservation technologies), this tradition has remained for the slight bitterness and flavour that hops bring.

Gardener's tip: mulch the base of your hops in summer, as this will reduce the frequency of watering. Note that well-established plants in deep clayey soil can withstand moderate drought periods.

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