Nominated for Best Supporting Actor:

by David Perry on March 26, 2010

in Home-Grown

Golden Hop Vines for the Vase

Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’ may not quite have the chops to carry the starring role in a bouquet, despite its star quality name, but it can most certainly make the work of the others in a bouquet appear stronger and more memorable.

When it comes to cutting-garden bouquets, not every player gets a starring role and not every player needs one. Case in point: Golden Hops. When cut young, they are perfect supporting role players, making the work of the stars in a bouquet appear just that much stronger and more memorable, and I ask you, isn’t that exactly what a supporting actor is supposed to do? When seen in a vase by themselves (above), the hop vines are certainly beautiful, but they may also leave you wanting for something more. Now, look their effect on a vase filled with fresh-cut lilacs (below). See how they give those stunning, deep purple bloom-clouds even more dimension and richness by the contrasting accent of their leaves and their reaching tendrils?

You will scarcely find an easier plant to grow, though, once established there may certainly be other plants easier to control.  Golden Hops plants are well known for their vigor (below), so don’t be afraid to cut back large numbers of their shoots, and rather than tossing them straight onto the compost heap, put them to work in the vase for a while first.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Layanee March 27, 2010 at 7:15 am

Beautiful! That is a fast vine for a slow sign. Funny.

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