If you’re looking for the perfect climber to cover a pergola, look no further than hops. This perennial isn’t just for brewing beer; it’s an incredibly fast grower that adds a lush, decorative vibe to any backyard. Plus, come fall, you get to harvest those iconic cone-shaped fruits!
A Low-Maintenance Climbing Machine
If you’ve got a pergola in your garden, you’re probably looking for a way to green it up and create a cool, shady retreat for those hot summer days. Hops are a fantastic alternative to traditional choices like clematis or climbing roses. They’re tough, low-maintenance, and generally pretty easygoing. The one thing they absolutely require, however, is a sturdy support system.
To help your hops reach their full 20-plus foot height, you’ll want to string up some heavy-duty wire or set up tall poles. By mid-summer, you’ll be rewarded with a thick canopy of large, beautiful leaves that look a lot like grape foliage. While the female hop flowers are subtle, the decorative cones that follow are the real stars. You can harvest them in the autumn to experiment with homebrewing or even herbal teas.
How to Care for Your Hops
Hops are pretty hands-off, but a little TLC goes a long way:
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Avoid both “wet feet” (standing water) and letting the soil bone dry.
- Give them a boost with fertilizer once a month.
- Prune your hops back in either the spring or fall.
- Pro tip: If you’re helping the vines find their way, always wrap them clockwise!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Because hops grow so aggressively, they don’t just head for the sky—they also spread underground via their root system. To keep them from taking over your entire garden, make sure to regularly trim back any new shoots popping up from the soil. If you want to keep things even more contained, hops actually do great in large planters or containers.
