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Humulus lupulus, commonly known as hops, is a vigorous perennial climbing plant that can reach heights of nearly 20 feet in a single growing season, growing at a moderate to fast rate. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 and tolerant of frost, hops reliably return year after year. The plants produce fragrant flowers from July through August, followed by seed ripening in early fall from September to October. Beyond their ornamental appeal, hops are valued for their ability to attract wildlife and have a long history of use in herbal and pharmaceutical applications. Most famously, hops are an essential ingredient in beer, prized for the distinctive aroma, flavor, and bitterness they contribute to brewing. Growing Note: Hops grown from seed will produce both male and female plants. Once the plants begin to flower, it’s important to identify and remove the males, keeping only the females, as only female plants produce the hop cones used for brewing and other purposes. Male hop plants can be recognized by their drooping, branched clusters of small, simple flowers with five sepals and short stamens, resembling catkins. In contrast, female plants develop the familiar cone-shaped flowers that are harvested as hops.
