The fragrant flowers on the hop tree attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and it is a food source for caterpillars of the giant swallowtail butterfly. Become a backyard bartender by using your hop tree to brew beer!
Hop Tree Care Must-Knows
Hop tree is adaptable, growing easily in a variety of soil types—including slow-draining clay and fast-draining sandy loam—but it does best in moist soil with plenty of organic matter. Hop tree has no serious pests or diseases. It is best planted or transplanted when dormant, either in early spring or late fall. Pruning should be done when the plant is dormant, removing dead or broken branches and improving the shape. The tree does tend to sucker, so you may need to remove newly formed stems arising from the ground.
Cultivars of Note
‘Aurea’ has yellow leaves that mature to lime green. Ptelea trifoliate var. bailey boasts white bark. An upright grower for confined spaces, ‘Fastigiata’ is another cultivar. Blue-green leaves decorate ‘Glauca’.
