The Hop Tree is
a small native tree in the citrus family that has trifoliate, compound leaves
and curious, circular, winged fruits. It is a single or multi-stemmed deciduous
tree with smooth, grayish-brown bark and a dense, rounded canopy. It grows in woods,
glades, ravines, thickets and prairies. Typically grows to 10-20′ tall.
Features compound, trifoliate, shiny, dark green leaves (each leaflet is
2-5″ long) which turn greenish yellow in autumn. Small, light green flowers
are in rounded clusters at the branch tips. The flowers have four petals and
are lightly fragrant. Clusters of light green, pendant fruits develop from the
flowers in the spring. They mature to brown in the late summer and persist on
the twigs in the winter. The fruits are thin, circular, winged discs (samaras)
and are about 1 inch wide. The fruits have been used as a substitute for hops,
hence the common name hop tree. It is also called wafer ash for the wafer-like,
winged fruits. It is a host plant for the giant swallowtail butterfly. The hop
tree is grown as a tree or shrub, s a specimen plant and in groups and in
native plant gardens. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained
soils in part shade to full shade. Tolerates full sun. Adaptable to wide range
of growing conditions. Hardy in zones 6-9.
Growing
Instructions
The seeds have
a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for
spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions
and to break their dormancy at any time of the year.
1. Place the
seeds in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for 3
months.
2. The seeds
like moist, well-drained soil. Fill a pot with a mixture of half potting soil
and half sand or vermiculite.
3. Sow the
seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
4. Water the
container.
5. Put the pot
in a warm, sunny area.
6. Water the
pot regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet.
7. The
seedlings can be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.
Isaac (verified owner) –
WOW!! Not one dud in the bunch!! Shortly after planting they started growing ! These are really great packet of seeds!!!
Anthony (verified owner) –
The product is firmly packed.
Phoenix (verified owner) –
Great germination.
Liam (verified owner) –
Good service.
Paul (verified owner) –
Very fast delivery.