When I first planted a golden hop against my arch some 15 years ago it was a well-behaved youngster...
When I first planted a golden hop against my arch, some 15 years ago, it was a well-behaved youngster. It appeared to understand the rules, as set out in the Code of Conduct for Garden Climbers. Once my golden hop reached its teenage years, however, it threw out the rulebook, and decided on a takeover bid.
Left to its own devices, my Humulus lupulus 'Aureus' knew no bounds. It surged onwards and upwards, comfortably covering the arch, and not stopping there. Once they reached their maximum height those long and twining golden shoots, with their slightly rough surface, then spread sideways, over and through a photinia growing alongside the arch. Clearly enjoying this taste of freedom, my golden hop then grasped the branches of my wedding cake tree, obscuring it in a spiralling, golden overcoat.
When will plants learn to take 'no' for an answer? Sometimes the only solution is to take them to task with a pair of secateurs. When I think about it, so much of gardening is really a game of 'space invaders'. The patch of phlox spreads ever wider; topiary does its best to undo my finest manicuring; weeds and other 'self-seeders' fill any space they can find...
Note for diary, early June 2010: clip back golden hop before it smothers its neighbours!
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