Humulus lupulus Hallertau Tradition - Common Hop

Humulus lupulus 'Hallertau Tradition' is a variety of German hop resistant to diseases selected for beer production. It allows amateur gardeners to try their hand at brewing. Its pale yellow-green cones, harvested in summer, give the famous beverage a wonderfully earthy and herbal character, with a particularly sweet aroma. They can also be used to make soothing and calming herbal teas. Traditionally, hop cones are also used to fill pillows to promote sleep. This vigorous, hardy, and perennial climber is also appreciated for its beautiful lush foliage, reminiscent of vine leaves. In ornamental gardens, 'Hallertau Tradition' hops are perfect for beautifying and quickly hiding any unsightly support.

Humulus lupulus belongs to the Cannabaceae family, just like hemp and the hackberry. It is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and boreal Africa, where it populates cool and humid areas. It is a perennial herbaceous climber with a large fleshy root that regenerates its aerial vegetation every year and rests underground during winter. Hops are a dioecious plant, meaning there are male and female plants. 'Hallertau Tradition', selected in Germany, is a disease-resistant female variety.

In spring, the 'Hallertau Tradition' hops develop herbaceous and voluble stems that emerge from the slightly suckering stump, quickly climbing any available support. They have a very fast growth rate, reaching between 4 and 6m (13 and 20ft) in a single season. An adult plant will therefore occupy about 5m (16ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in spread. The vigour of hops depends on the soil fertility and how they are pruned. The stems have a quadrangular section and bear rough leaves, nicely divided into 3 to 5 pointed and dentate ovate lobes. The colour of the leaves is a beautiful bright green. The female inflorescences appear in summer, from June to August depending on the climate. These are green catkins that will develop into cones. Oval in shape, these cones have a scaly appearance and are almost blonde when ripe, covered in a fragrant and powdery resin called lupulin, which gives bitterness to beer. They are pollinated by bees and bumblebees.

In ornamental gardens, 'Hallertau Tradition' hops are an excellent addition to a wisteria or a Virginia creeper. These vigorous and low-maintenance climbing plants bring flowers in spring and colours in autumn to their foliage. They can give new life to an old tree, conceal a tired garden shed or an unsightly structure, and beautify a pergola or a fence. The flowers, harvested in September, make beautiful dried bouquets.

Female inflorescences, the cones, have been used to flavour beer since the 8th century. Previously, hops were only used to preserve beer. Currently (despite modern preservation technologies), this tradition remains for the slight bitterness and flavour that hops bring. Its young voluble stems can also be consumed similar to asparagus.