Dodonaea viscosa Seeds – Hopbush Evergreen Shrub for Gardens

Hopbush, Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as Sticky Hopbush, Hop Bush, or Broadleaf Hopbush, is an evergreen flowering shrub or small tree belonging to the Sapindaceae family, commonly known as the soapberry family. This widely distributed species occurs naturally in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions across several continents, including Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The Hopbush shrub is recognized for its dense branching structure, attractive green foliage, small yellowish-green flowers, and distinctive papery winged seed capsules. Its narrow, leathery leaves and naturally upright to spreading growth habit make it suitable for ornamental gardens, hedges, landscape borders, and warm-climate planting arrangements.

Dodonaea viscosa is particularly valued in landscaping for its adaptability to sunny environments, tolerance of established dry conditions, and ability to grow in various well-drained soil types. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round greenery, while the colorful seed capsules produced by suitable plants contribute seasonal ornamental interest.

The plant's botanical name, viscosa, refers to the sticky or resinous characteristics of its young foliage. Depending on the plant form and environmental conditions, Hopbush may develop as a compact, branching shrub or a taller, small tree.

Hopbush seeds provide gardeners with an opportunity to cultivate this distinctive evergreen species from seed. Successful establishment depends on suitable seed preparation, adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, and appropriate moisture management during early development.

Oregon State University

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• Botanical Name: Dodonaea viscosa

• Common Names: Hopbush, Sticky Hopbush, Hop Bush, Broadleaf Hopbush

• Plant Family: Sapindaceae

• Plant Type: Evergreen flowering shrub or small tree

• Native Distribution: Widespread across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions

• Growth Habit: Upright, dense, bushy, and naturally branching

• Mature Height: Commonly approximately 1–4 meters, depending on plant form and growing conditions

• Foliage: Narrow, leathery, green to gray-green leaves

• Leaf Shape: Lance-shaped, elongated, or spoon-shaped, depending on plant variation

• Leaf Arrangement: Alternate along woody stems

• Foliage Texture: Smooth to slightly sticky, particularly on young growth

• Flower Color: Generally greenish-yellow, sometimes with reddish tones

• Flower Appearance: Small, inconspicuous, petal-free flowers

• Flowering Season: Varies according to climate and local growing conditions

• Fruit Appearance: Papery, winged seed capsules

• Fruit Color: Green, yellowish, pink, red, or reddish-purple depending on maturity and plant variation

• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to light partial shade

• Soil Preference: Well-drained sandy, loamy, gravelly, or rocky soil

• Watering Requirements: Moderate during establishment, relatively low once established

• Growing Environment: Warm outdoor gardens and dry-climate landscapes

• Garden Uses: Evergreen hedges, ornamental shrub borders, privacy screens, coastal landscapes, and naturalistic gardens

Hopbush develops into a dense evergreen shrub with numerous woody branches extending from its central structure. The plant naturally forms an upright to spreading crown, although its size and overall shape can vary considerably according to local growing conditions and botanical variation.

Its foliage consists of simple, elongated leaves arranged alternately along the stems. Depending on the individual plant, the leaves may be narrow and lance-shaped or somewhat broader with rounded tips.

The leaves are generally green to gray-green, with a smooth, leathery appearance. Newly developing foliage may feel slightly sticky because of the natural resinous substances produced by the plant.

Older stems become woody and contribute to the shrub's dense branching structure. With suitable pruning, Hopbush can be maintained as an informal hedge, a structured landscape shrub, or a small ornamental tree.

During its flowering period, Dodonaea viscosa produces small flowers that may appear greenish-yellow or lightly reddish. These flowers are relatively inconspicuous and lack showy petals.

One of the plant's most distinctive ornamental characteristics is its development of papery, winged seed capsules. These structures can appear green or yellowish when young and may develop pink, red, or reddish-purple coloration as they mature.

Hopbush commonly produces male and female flowers on separate plants, although some plants may produce flowers of both sexes. The characteristic winged capsules develop on female or bisexual flowering plants.

Because seed-grown plants may differ in their flowering characteristics, colorful capsule production cannot be guaranteed for every individual plant.