Green Hopseed

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 4-9 feet
Spread: 3-7 feet
Flower Color: yellow-green, pink & red
Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade

Green Hopseed (Dodonaea viscosa): A Low-Maintenance, Drought-Tolerant Shrub for Desert Landscapes

The Green Hopseed, or Dodonaea viscosa, is a versatile and hardy shrub well-suited for desert and water-wise landscapes in Arizona and other arid regions. Known for its slender, bright green foliage and decorative seed pods, this shrub adds texture and visual interest to gardens with minimal care.

Key Features of Green Hopseed

• Elegant Foliage: Slender, lance-shaped leaves in a bright green hue create a fine-textured, lush appearance, providing a vibrant backdrop in landscapes.
• Unique Seed Pods: Produces small, papery green seed pods that resemble hop cones, adding a decorative element to the plant and persisting even after seed release.
• Size and Form: Grows 6 to 12 feet in height and spread, with an upright, well-proportioned form, making it suitable for screening or as an accent plant.

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil but is adaptable to a variety of soil types.
• Water Requirements: Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a preferred choice for xeriscaping and water-wise gardening.

Landscaping Uses

• Privacy Screening: Works well as a natural hedge or privacy screen.
• Texture and Contrast: Adds texture in mixed borders or can be used as a backdrop in garden beds.
• Minimal Maintenance Needs: Perfect for low-maintenance gardens; minimal pruning is required, although occasional shaping can be done for a tidy appearance.

Care Tips

• Watering: Requires regular watering initially, but once established, it thrives on minimal irrigation.
• Pruning: Light pruning can help maintain shape and remove deadwood, although the plant’s natural growth is attractive on its own.

Summary

The Green Hopseed is an excellent choice for Arizona landscapes, offering year-round greenery, low water use, and unique textural elements. Its combination of drought tolerance, ease of care, and aesthetic appeal make it an ideal selection for sustainable and desert-adapted landscapes. Perfect for both residential and commercial spaces, Green Hopseed brings a refreshing touch of greenery to the desert garden.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Green Hopseed

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours of sunlight for optimal growth)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 4-5 feet apart to allow for their mature size and to promote good air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Green Hopseed is a compact shrub that grows well without the need for staking

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Green Hopseed is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 2-3 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 18-24 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure deep watering of the root zone
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks