About

Dodonaea viscosa, the hop bush, is a vigorous, wide-spreading, evergreen shrub to around 4 m with elliptic or obovate, often purplish, leaves to 12 cm long, and clusters of tiny, yellowish-green flowers followed by membranous, reddish, 2- or 3-winged capsules to 1.5 cm. One of the most widely distributed shrubs in the world, naturalised across tropical and warm-temperate regions. An excellent ornamental and wind-resistant shrub for a sunny, well-drained position.

About the genus

Dodonaea are evergreen, dioecious shrubs and small trees in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), mainly from Australia, with simple or pinnate leaves and insignificant flowers followed on female plants by distinctive, membranous, angled or winged, often reddish seed capsules. Ornamental and drought-tolerant shrubs for sunny, well-drained positions.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal

Care notes

CultivationGrow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered frost-free area. Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Top dress in spring. Pinch out tips of young growth to encourage bushy growth
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free
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