By Kate Torpie, Garden Guides Contributor
About Nasturtium
Tropaeolum, or Nasturtium is a great flower for the beginning
gardener. In fact, it does quite well with a little benign neglect.
Its varieties grow in bushes, climbers and trailers. It can be used
on a trellis, in an empty spot of a garden or hanging over in a
flowerbox. Best of all, every part of the plant is edible. They are
known for their fiercely brilliant colors,so bright that
photographing them is difficult.
Site Preparation
Choose a site with full sun and good drainage.
Planting
Sow Nasturtium seeds once the weather warms up, either in early
spring or early summer depending on your location. Sow the seeds
about 10 to 15 inches apart, and about 1 inch deep. Water
immediately after planting. Then do not water for another 10 days.
If you choose a climbing variety, make sure to provide a support
for the plant and train it as it grows.
Care
Picking the flowers will make the plant bloom for a longer period
of time, so pick away! The plant will bloom from early spring into
the late autumn. Best of all, these annuals will reseed themselves.
Water weekly, but do not feed the plant any fertilizer.
Choosing a Variety
Again, the variety is a matter of personal preference, as all the
varieties of this species grow in the same conditions. If you like
a bushy breed, you may want to look into the Alaska Series. These
small, bushy plants have bright jewel-colored flowers that hold
their necks above the foliage to avoid getting lost. If you are
growing in a flowerbox, you may prefer Peach Melba, which will
trail down over the box. A popular vine variety is Canary Creeper,
which produces feathery, yellow blooms.
Special Features
These flowers go from seed to bloom very quickly. They're also
great for kids who are just starting to garden: the taste of
success could encourage a child into a life of gardening.
