Common hop

Appearance: cushion-shaped climbing plant, 3–6 m tall, sometimes 8–12 m, width 2–3 m, fast-growing; the above-ground part dies back and regenerates annually; weekly growth averages from 0.5 to 1 m; young shoots are edible like asparagus.

Flowers: dioecious, female inflorescences inconspicuous, yellow-green, resembling small cones, male – greenish; pollination July–August.

Fruits: greenish or brownish cones, up to 3 cm long, very bitter.

Leaves: green, large, compound, 3–5-lobed, rough.

Root system: superficial, stable, wide.

Requirements: sun/partial shade, winter-hardy, tolerant of urban environments.

Soils: from dry to moist, from slightly acidic to alkaline, prefers fertile substrates.

Zone: 7