Humulus lupulus Cascade

Humulus lupulus 'Cascade' is a variety of female hop with numerous and highly aromatic fruits that can be used for brewing beer. With its very fast growth rate, this climbing vine with fragrant summer flowers can effectively cover a fence, an unsightly wall, or an old tree. After taking on warm brown-golden colours in the autumn, the hop disappears during the winter. It will appreciate rich, moist, and well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

The 'Cascade' hop is a vine belonging to the Cannabaceae family, which includes, among others, hackberries (Celtis) and hemp. Widely distributed and naturalised around the world, including in Europe, the origin of wild hops is not known with certainty. Indeed, this plant has been cultivated for a long time for the production of beer, to which it generally imparts numerous flavours. Hops are also dioecious plants: in summer, it is the female plants that produce highly fragrant flower spikes, which then develop into typical cone-shaped fruits in the autumn, used for brewing beer. These decorative green, yellow-golden, and then brown cones are also very beautiful in dried bouquets. The deeply lobed leaves, with large teeth, are also highly ornamental and turn russet-brown in the autumn. The rough stems (which can be eaten young, like asparagus) allow the plant to cling and climb easily on surrounding plants.

The 'Cascade' variety flowers in the middle and end of summer. It is highly productive, and its elongated cones are highly aromatic, imparting floral and citrus notes to beers. It will delight both gardeners and beer enthusiasts! In favourable conditions, it can grow over 5m (16ft) long.

Very hardy, hops appreciate humus-rich and moist soils, that are also well-drained, not too heavy or too poor. Partial shade or non-scorching sun suits it well. With its very fast growth, this vine can quickly cover large surfaces. Therefore, it needs sufficient space for its development, or the opportunity to climb on nearby structures... However, its herbaceous nature and lack of climbing roots make it a safe plant for the buildings it grows on. It is excellent for quickly concealing an old wall, a decaying or uninteresting tree, or even a separating fence. It is possible to take herbaceous cuttings in March or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. The sowing of its seed is quite simple, but rarely produces offspring that are true to the original variety. At the end of winter, simply prune the dry stems to 30cm (12in) above the ground.

Combine the 'Cascade' hops with other vigorously growing plants, such as Clematis montana 'Tetrarose', Actinidia kolomikta with its beautiful variegated leaves, Akebia quinata, honeysuckle, or even Clematis vitalba (a particularly vigorous species). With these woody, generous, and wild neighbours, it will create a fantastic, ever-changing, rustic, and welcoming scene!