Golden hops makes for decorative screen
Virginia creeper will work as well, with the added bonus of showy red autumn foliage
Q We have a rather unsightly view on one side of our yard that we wish to cover up. I have seen hops growing against a fence in St. Albert and they did a great job of obscuring the fence and beyond. I realize hops are annuals, but we would leave the plants in place through fall and winter until just before planting again. We already have a six-foot-high fence that I would extend vertically by about two feet, using chicken wire on a frame. We live in Camrose and are having some trouble finding hops seed or plants in our area. Can you recommend a place where we can find some? Can you also recommend any other quick-growing plants that would do a similar job for us? We could plant any perennials you recommend, interspersed initially with hops until the perennials reached the appropriate height.
A Let’s start with your hops question. Golden hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’) is a perennial woody vine and not an annual. It is hardy to Zone 3a and has a striking golden foliage that fades to a yellow green over the summer. The bonus is the coneshaped clusters of yellow fruits, which can be used to make beer. It is an extremely tough vine and very adaptable to a variety of growing conditions.
The plant will grow to a height of 15 feet (four metres) and has a spread of about three feet (one metre). This plant alone will do the job of providing the privacy screen you are looking for. It does tend to get a bit leggy at the bottom, so underplanting in front of it with your choice of shrubs or lower perennials will work just fine. It will grow at a very fast rate and can live under the right conditions for 20 years, but it must be planted in full sun and the soil should be kept moist, as it does not like to dry out. You should be able to find this plant in almost any nursery. I know of several nurseries in Edmonton that carry it, including Millcreek Nursery, for example.
If golden hops doesn’t seem like the right fit, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) will do a similar job. The vine is hardy to Zone 2b. The foliage emerges in the spring as a brick red colour, changing to a dark green over time. The bonus with this plant is the stunning fall foliage, which shows off a brilliant fire red. Virginia creeper can grow to a height of 20 feet (six metres). It also tends to be leggy at the bottom, so underplantings are a good idea. The main problem with Virginia Creeper is controlling the aphids, since they seem to love this plant.
Q I was watching a gardening show on TV and heard an expert talking about how he felt that the use of Latin names is really not needed in the horticulture industry. I was wondering how you felt about this?
A On the subject of Latin names, I have also heard people in the industry complaining about the use of Latin names. Frankly, I am at a loss to try and understand where these people are coming from. The genus, species and variety of a botanical name help to avoid the confusion that common names often bring. Common names not only vary from one province to another, but can even vary from one greenhouse to another.
Bluebells provide a good example, since they have a common name that leads to nothing but confusion. Is the name referring to Mertensia virginica, Mertensia ciliata, Scilla nonscripta or Campanula glomerata? Each of these are different types of bluebells, and the use of botanical names eliminates all confusion and allows gardeners across the world (or across the street) to communicate on the same terms.