Hops, Common , Strobile - Circa 19th C (Herb)

Humulus lupulus, Female - hardy perennial climbing drying Vine,  A venerable vine of old Europe, its virtues known since the 9th c, & its presence in England owed to Flemish growers in the days of King Henry VIII. This bold, hardy climber adorns its bines with pale, papery cones — the ripe female flowers — whose fragrance has seasoned ale, soothed nerves, & perfumed chambers for centuries. The young shoots, rising in spring, are a delicacy cooked as asparagus, while the tender leaves lend a curious & delightful flavour to salads. The dried cones, long esteemed in herbal lore, calm the troubled mind, & a pillow stuffed with hops is still said to coax the weary into gentle sleep. Gather the cones when they turn light yellow in early autumn. A creature of sunshine, it prospers in bright, open places, Seed Count Approx - 50 avg 

  SOWING - Sow from Midsummer to late autumn in a cold frame or protected spot outdoors as cold breaks seed dormancy, transplant following Spring, Germination is slow so be patient & do not discard seed /pots as it can germinate the following Spring, Hardy