Tropaeolum
Common Name(s):
- Description
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Nasturtiums have fragrant, showy flowers ranging from yellow to red. It begins blooming in late spring and lasts into early fall. Although it grows in full sun, some protection from strong afternoon sun will be beneficial. Extended periods of strong sun will stress the plant. Areas where the summer temperatures are somewhat cooler will allow this plant to perform at its best.
Its common name, Nasturtium, comes from the oil that the plants produce that is similar to watercress (Nasturtium officinale).
An edible plant with a peppery taste, it is often used in salads. The leaves, seeds, as well as the flowers and flower pods are all edible.
Nasturtiums grow best is poor soils. Fertilization can lead to more foliage and fewer flowers. Deadheading will prolong blooming. If growing indoors from seed, using peat or paper pots will help prevent transplant shock when moved outdoors and placed in the garden. They don't like being transplanted.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues, aphids, mealybugs and whteflies are occasional insects that may affect this plant.
Its self seeding can cause the plant to spread.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Tropaeolum majus
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Tropaeolum majus
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tropaeolum
- Family:
- Tropaeolaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern America and Mexico Southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- Nasturtium is attractive to butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer
- Edibility:
- The leaves, flowers and buds, pods, and seeds are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, showy flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Peltate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are palmately compound.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer