Nasturtiums: Colorful, Edible, and Easy Annuals

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are versatile annuals (perennial in mild climates) that drape over fences, spill from baskets, creep along paths, and circle boulders. Beyond classic neon orange, they now come in soft apricot, peach, pale yellow, creamy white, and romantic hues like 'Moonlight', with names like 'Creamsicle' and 'Vanilla Berry'. Foliage ranges from apple green to purplish blue to white-splashed green.

"Nasturtiums are great for covering bare spots," says Renee Shepherd. "They're easy for kids to grow from seed. They climb, ramble, spill, and attract hummingbirds."

Edible Uses

Leaves and flowers have a peppery, watercress flavor. Use as garnishes for salads, sandwiches, vegetable dishes. Shepherd tosses chopped flowers and leaves into pasta with basil, chives, parsley, and parmesan. Blossoms last a week or more in bouquets if lower leaves are removed.

Varieties

For Containers and Low Beds (Dwarf, 10–15 inches)

• 'ALASKA' – Cream-marbled leaves; gold, salmon, orange, mahogany flowers
• 'COPPER SUNSET' – Spurless semidouble vibrant coppery red blooms
• 'CREAMSICLE' – Orange and creamy white swirled flowers; blue-green leaves
• DWARF JEWEL MIX – Yellow, orange, blends; rich green leaves
• 'EMPRESS OF INDIA' – Vermillion flowers; blue-green leaves; cascading mounds
• 'PEACH MELBA' – Primrose yellow with bright red throats
• 'VANILLA BERRY' – Custard white with strawberry throat markings
• WHIRLYBIRD – Upward-facing blossoms in cherry-rose, cream, gold, mahogany, scarlet, tangerine, mix

For Rambling (Climbing, to 6 feet)

• 'AMAZON JEWEL' – Spurred blossoms in pumpkin, peachy rose, gold, ruby, pale lemon; variegated foliage
• GLORIOUS GLEAM MIX – Large, often fragrant single/semidouble spurred flowers in yellow, gold-orange, scarlet
• 'MOONLIGHT' – Soft primrose yellow flowers; bright green leaves

Planting and Care

• Timing: Spring in mild-winter areas; fall in low/intermediate deserts. Cover seedlings if freeze predicted. In cold-winter regions, wait until weather warms.
• Planting: From cell-packs, 4-inch pots, or seed. Sunny spot (afternoon shade inland), well-drained soil. Space 10 inches apart.
• Seeding: Sow ½–1 inch deep; keep moist until emergence. Thin to 12–18 inches (half that in containers).
• Water/Fertilizer: Moderate water once established. Too much water/fertilizer yields lush foliage but fewer flowers.

Sources

Widely sold in nurseries. Mail-order: Cook's Garden, Nichols Garden Nursery, Park Seed Company, Renee's Garden.