NASTURTIUM
Known for being beautiful and beneficial, nasturtiums are also edible! The peppery-tasting leaves and bright blooms are both great ingredients to add to your salads. The botanical name of the genus (Tropaeoleum) comes from the Greek word for trophy and refers to the flat, shield-shaped leaves. Nasturtiums have very few pest or disease issues and make great additions to both flower and vegetable gardens.
VARIETY: Alaska, Jewel, Park’s Fragrant Giants, Peach Melba
BLOOM COLOR: varies including -
Alaska = yellow, orange, salmon, cherry, or crimson
Jewel = red, pink, orange, and yellow
Park’s Fragrant Giants = cream, gold, orange, red, or yellow
Peach Melba = peachy-yellow with red centers
FOLIAGE COLOR: Alaska = green with cream splotches
Jewel, Park’s Fragrant Giants, Peach Melba = light green
BOTANICAL NAME: Tropaeoleum minus (Alaska, Jewel), Tropaeoleum majus (Peach Melba, Park’s Fragrant Giants)
ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL?: tender perennial grown in the US as an annual, may self-reseed
WARM SEASON OR COOL SEASON?: warm; frost-sensitive
PLANT SIZE: Alaska, Jewel, Peach Melba = 10 to 16 inches with blooms that are about 2 inches across
Park’s Fragrant Giants = 10 inches height for flower stalks, plant has a trailing/vining habit and can spread for up to 6 feet across
LIGHT NEEDS: at least 6 hours of full sun a day, can tolerate light shade in hotter conditions
WATER NEEDS: normal (about an inch of water total per week), but is moderately drought-tolerant
FERTILIZER NEEDS: not needed, but a phosphorus-rich fertilizer can be used to encourage heavier blooming
IDEAL SOIL CONDITIONS: well-draining soil, can grow in poorer fertility soil
PLANT SPACING FOR TRANSPLANTS: 10 to 12 inches
PLANT SUPPORTS NEEDED?: no
WHEN TO PLANT OUT: after last frost date
CAN IT BE PLANTED IN A CONTAINER?: yes
DURING GROWTH: intense heat may pause bloom production
WATCH FOR THESE PESTS/DISEASES: aphids
TIME TO BLOOM: 32 to 64 days depending on variety
DEADHEADING: can prolong blooming season; harvest leaves and plants at any point
PLANT USES: all parts of the plant are edible
POLLINATOR FRIENDLY?: yes