A Natural Duo - Clematis fargesii and Golden Hops

Here is a pair of natural climbing plants, to be planted freely in a hedge, on a fence, an old tree, a cabin or any slightly unsightly structure that it will quickly cover: the thousand white stars of the vigorous Clematis fargesii blend all summer with the beautiful golden leaves of the Golden Hops. The spectacle continues into late summer and autumn, when the feathery and silver fruits of the beautiful Clematis fargesii accompany the fragrant cones of its companion. Install these two climbers in the sun or partial shade, in the same hole, in any good, rather moist garden soil. 

This natural duo is composed of a Clematis fargesii Summer Snow and a Humulus lupulus Aureus plant.

Clematis fargesii (synonym C. potaninii var. potaninii , C. fargesii souliei ), from the Ranunculaceae family, is a vigorous deciduous woody climbing plant native to China. Humulus lupulus Aureus, on the other hand, belongs to the Cannabaceae family and is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa. Both climbing plants can easily reach a height of 5m (16ft), with a minimum spread of 2m (7ft). The Clematis, whose stems are woody, loses its foliage in winter. The golden hop regrows its entire vegetation each year from its powerful rhizomatous stump. Both are perfectly resistant to cold and show rapid and vigorous growth in deep and moist soil.

The Clematis fargesii blooms generously from July to October. Its star-shaped flowers with 6 white petals and long cream stamens, 4 to 5cm (2in) wide, are gathered in small clusters. The flowers, slightly fragrant, is followed by decorative silvery grey feathery fruits that persist until winter. The deciduous leaves are divided into small, glabrous, somewhat dark green leaflets. This clematis attaches itself to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils. While it possesses great vigour, it never suffocates the plants it climbs under its vegetation.

Humulus lupulus Aureus, a perennial climber with rapid growth, has slightly less development than the typical species, and distinguishes itself with its magnificent leaves that change from butter yellow to yellow-green during the season. Its stems cling to their support thanks to small hook-shaped hairs. Its large leaves, reminiscent of those of the vine, are divided into 3 to 5 roughly dentate lobes. The golden hop blooms in late summer, in August-September. The female plants bear (after fertilisation by a male plant) pendulous cones of yellow-green colour, highly aromatic, traditionally used to flavour beer. They are also highly appreciated in dried bouquets.

Plant this unexpected duo to quickly cover your fences, trees, small structures, and pergolas until autumn. Take advantage of the vigour and easy cultivation of these two very spontaneous climbers to give your garden a wild and bohemian touch. They love to climb on trees and bushes and in a few years form a very successful marriage in the garden. To their white and gold colours, if space allows, you could add the scarlet red of a Virginia Creeper to spice up this very harmonious alliance.