Humulus lupulus Target - Hop

Humulus lupulus 'Target' is an early and floriferous variety of female hop, which can be used in brewing beer. With its very rapid growth rate, this climbing vine with fragrant summer flowers can quicky cover a fence, an unsightly wall, or an old tree. After taking on warm golden-brown colours in autumn, the hop disappears during winter. It will appreciate rich, fresh, and well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

The 'Target' 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 aromas. Hops are also dioecious plants: in summer, it is the female plants that produce highly fragrant flower spikes, and then typical cone-shaped fruits in autumn, used for brewing beer. These decorative cones, green, golden-yellow, and then brown, are also very beautiful in dried bouquets. The deeply lobed leaves with large teeth are also very ornamental and turn russet-brown in autumn. The rough and twining stems (which can be eaten when young, like asparagus) allow the plant to cling and climb easily on surrounding plants.

The 'Target' variety is particularly early flowering, starting to bloom as early as June. Very floriferous and fragrant, as well as aromatic, it will enchant both gardeners and beer lovers! Under good conditions, it can exceed 5 metres (16 feet) in length.

Very hardy, hops appreciate humus-rich and well-drained soils, not too heavy or poor. Partial shade or non-scorching sun suits them. With its very rapid growth rate, this vine can quickly cover large surfaces and occupy large areas. Therefore, it needs sufficient space for its development, or it can be allowed to climb on anything nearby... However, its herbaceous nature and lack of climbing roots make it a safe plant for buildings it grows on. It is excellent for quickly concealing an old wall, a decaying or uninteresting tree, or even a dividing fence. Softwood cuttings can be made in March, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Seed sowing is fairly simple but rarely produces true offspring to the original variety. In late winter, simply prune the dry stems to 30cm (12in) above the ground.

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