hop bush plant

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

The hop bush plant, known for its robust growth and attractive foliage, is a standout choice for New Zealand gardens looking for a versatile and easy-to-grow feature. While often mistaken for the true hops used in brewing, Hops 'Smooth Cone' (Hops Plant) offers its own unique advantages as a climbing or scrambling perennial. This striking plant appeals to gardeners who want a low-maintenance yet productive addition to their landscape.

Hops 'Smooth Cone'

Hops 'Smooth Cone' is a popular NZ bred hop variety renowned for its smooth bitterness and delicate aroma, making it a favourite for brewing pale ales and lagers. This vigorous climbing perennial produces bright green cones that are harvested in late summer for brewing use.

Hops 'Smooth Cone'

Suited to regions:
Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type:
Climbers
Height:
6.00 m
Spread:
6.00 m
Flowering time:
Summer
Garden uses:
Arches
Garden styles:
Backyard, Frontyard

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What Is the Hop Bush Plant?

The hop bush plant, particularly the 'Smooth Cone' variety, is a vigorous climbing plant that thrives in a range of New Zealand conditions. Its lush green leaves and cascading growth habit make it ideal for covering fences, pergolas, or screens. In the summer, Hops 'Smooth Cone' produces decorative cone-shaped flowers that are both visually pleasing and useful for home brewing enthusiasts interested in experimenting with their own craft beers.

How to Grow Hops 'Smooth Cone' in New Zealand

Hops 'Smooth Cone' is well-suited to temperate regions across New Zealand and is relatively easy to cultivate. Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, ensuring that there is adequate space for the hop bush plant to climb or ramble. Regular watering and an annual application of compost or mulch will help your plant thrive. Training the plant up a sturdy trellis or wire support will encourage upright growth and maximise flower production.

Landscape Uses and Companion Climbers

The hop bush plant is not only practical but also provides a beautiful green screen, making it perfect for creating privacy or adding height to your garden beds. For gardeners interested in mixing textures and seasonal interest, the hop bush plant pairs superbly with other climbers. Consider growing alongside Distictis buccinatoria (Red Trumpet Vine), known for its fiery red blooms, or purple-blooming Hardenbergia 'Regent' to extend seasonal floral displays.

Other great companion climbers include Clematis Fireworks, with its dazzling star-shaped flowers, or delicately scented Lonicera belgica. You can also pair the hop bush plant with Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) for rich autumn colour.

Caring for Your Hop Bush Plant

Routine care for the hop bush plant is straightforward. Prune after flowering or harvesting cones to maintain the desired shape and encourage healthy regeneration. Keep an eye out for aphids or powdery mildew, particularly in humid conditions, and treat promptly if needed. With the right care, Hops 'Smooth Cone' will reward you with vigorous growth and bountiful cones year after year.

Get Started with Hops in Your Garden

Whether you want to create a lush privacy screen, experiment with home brewing, or simply enjoy a fast-growing, attractive climber, the hop bush plant makes an excellent choice. Its versatility and ease of care make it ideal for gardeners at any skill level. Combine it with favourite companion plants like Distictis buccinatoria (Red Trumpet Vine) or Hardenbergia 'Regent' to create a vibrant, dynamic garden space that flourishes year-round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.