True hops (Humulus lupulus) or cultivated hops are a perennial plant that is grown as a useful plant and as an ornamental plant in the garden. Hops can grow in the garden for many years. However, it is not wintergreen and is therefore only suitable as a privacy screen in summer.
Is hops perennial or annual?
True hops (Humulus lupulus) are perennial; It retreats in winter, but sprouts reliably again in spring. In contrast, the Japanese ornamental hop (Humulus japonicus) is an annual. Hops can get very old, up to 50 years are possible.
Real hops are perennial
- Perennial
- summergreen
- fast-growing
- good privacy protection in summer
True hops or cultivated hops are always perennial. However, the plant shrinks in winter. All that remains are dried stems.
Hops sprout again in spring and then form countless new sprouts that are edible and prepared like asparagus.
Only Japanese hops are annual
In contrast to real hops, the Japanese ornamental hop Humulus japonicus is only annual. It is therefore sown and not propagated via cuttings.
Hops can get very old
Real hops can live to a very old age. There are plants whose age is estimated at 50 years. Because hops spread through the roots, they can grow to huge proportions over time.
When caring for the garden, new sprouts should be removed regularly so that the hops do not crowd out other plants.
Propagation via cuttings and root division
Perennial hops are propagated via cuttings and root division. This is the only way to prevent male plants from developing. Male hops are not desirable because their flowers, when fertilized, reduce the quality of the fruit produced on the female plant.
Grow perennial hops as a privacy screen in the garden
Hops grow very quickly and form a dense and very high privacy screen in the garden all summer long. It reaches considerable heights within a short period of time.
Since the climbing plant shrinks in winter, it does not provide year-round privacy. But it reliably sprouts again the following spring.
Tip
Hops are easy to care for, only diseases and pests trouble them more often. Check plants regularly for pests and symptoms. If a sticky coating forms, the leaves wilt prematurely or change color, a disease or pest infestation is likely.