Nasturtium

The most common flower in cultivation is a hybrid of T. majus, T. minus, and T. peltophorum. It is commonly known as the nasturtium (and occasionally anglicized as nasturtian). It is mostly grown from seed as a half-hardy annual, and both single and double varieties are available. It comes in various forms and colours, including cream, yellow, orange and red, solid in colour or striped and often with a dark blotch at the base of the petals. It is vigorous and easily grown and does well in sun. It thrives in poor soil and dry conditions, whereas rich soil produces much leafy growth and few flowers. Some varieties adopt a bush form while others scramble over and through other plants and are useful for planting in awkward spots or for covering fences and trellises.[14]

nasturtium

Wreath nasturtium (Tropaeolum polyphyllum) is a prostrate plant originating from Argentina and Chile. It has silvery, deeply lobed leaves and a profusion of small, bright yellow flowers on long trailing stalks. After flowering, the plant dies back. It is a perennial with underground rhizomes which send up new shoots at intervals. It will survive for several years in a suitable sunny location with well-drained soil.[10] It is a very hardy species; the tubers can grow at depths of 60 cm (24 in) enabling the plant to survive at altitudes of as much as 3,300 metres (10,000 ft) in the Andes.[19]

When used as a companion in a vegetable garden, nasturtium repels whiteflies, squash bugs, aphids, several beetles species, and cabbage loopers. It protects itself, as well as other plants, by emitting an airborne phytochemical that deters these bugs.

Trailing nasturtiums are a great choice for growing in a window box or hanging basket, as their vines will drape and climb beautifully. Bush nasturtiums are a better choice for smaller gardens where space is limited.

Hi Iris,I live in nearby in Speigletown N.Y. and found nasturtium seed packets for sale a few years ago at the Potter Hill Barn off route 7 Hoosick Falls. Their phone number is 518 686-7777.Once you have established plants, in the fall harvest the chick pea size seeds, and dry them. You should have more than enough for next year and should never have to buy seeds again.

Nasturtium flowers are versatile; attractive in the landscape and useful in the garden. Nasturtium plants are fully edible and growing nasturtiums can be used to lure aphids away from other plants in the garden.

Nasturtium plants are easy to grow and may be climbing, cascading, or bushy. Care of nasturtiums is minimal; in fact, nasturtium plants are one of those specimens that thrive on neglect. Rich, fertile soil or too much fertilizer results in lush foliage growth and few nasturtium flowers.

The old-fashioned nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, is popular in the garden as an edible. Use nasturtium flowers as a spiller in window boxes and hanging baskets. Plant bush-type nasturtiums as aphid traps in the vegetable garden. Growing nasturtiums may add a peppery taste to salads or decorate a cake.

Easy to grow nasturtium plants come in more than 50 varieties. Whichever type you choose for the garden, plant in a full to part sun area with well-drained but otherwise poor soil for more and bigger blooms.

Dwarf and variegated nasturtium varieties add an ornamental element to small containers or mixed in with solid green foliage plants and white blooms. If using the nasturtium in a container combination, make sure the other plants do not require a lot of water or fertilizer, as the nasturtium needs little of either.

Large seeds of nasturtium plants should be sown directly into their permanent location, as nasturtium flowers do not transplant well. If you must start seeds of nasturtium flowers and then transplant them, use peat pots which can be planted into the ground without disturbing the roots of the growing nasturtium seedling.

The seed coat may be manipulated for faster germination when growing nasturtium, nick the seed or soak overnight in lukewarm water. Plant immediately into a container or area of the garden which allows plenty of room for growth. You may place a trellis near the planting area of climbing nasturtium varieties and train the colorful vines to climb with little effort.

Now that you see the ease of how to grow nasturtiums, add several in the spring and summer landscape. Care of nasturtiums is amazingly simple, plant them and forget them, except to enjoy this perky, little flower.

The garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) belongs to the family Tropaeolaceae. Native to South America it was brought to Europe in XVI century. It is a plant with numerous healing properties. Medicinal plants such as the garden nasturtium contain trace elements and bioactive compounds which can be easily absorbed by the human body. The flowers and other parts of the garden nasturtium are a good source of micro elements such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, and macro elements, especially of zinc, copper and iron. The essential oil, the extract from the flowers and leaves, and the compounds isolated from these elements have antimicrobial, antifungal, hypotensive, expectorant and anticancer effects. Antioxidant activity of extracts from garden nasturtium is an effect of its high content of compounds such as anthocyanins, polyphenols and vitamin C. Due to its rich phytochemical content and unique elemental composition, the garden nasturtium may be used in the treatment of many diseases for example the illnesses of the respiratory and digestive systems. High content of erucic acid in nasturtium seeds makes it possible to use its oil as treatment in adrenoleukodystrophy. It is also applied in dermatology because it improves the condition of skin and hair. More recently, the flowers of this species have been used as a decorative and edible element of some types of dishes. Aim of the review was to summarize available data concerning garden nasturtium Tropaeolum majus L.

Annual. Stunning round-leafed nasturtium foliage is brightly variegated. The velvety, deep maroon blooms come as a bonus. A bit somber and very dramatic! Dwarf, upright plants. You will love this antioxidant-rich plant in salads, soups, and amazing pesto!

Annual. This vibrant rose-pink nasturtium with large, double, rose-like blooms is a serious showstopper! Like candy for the eyes, the Cherry Rose Jewel nasturtium delivers high-voltage color that makes it a perfect statement flower in the garden bed, borders, containers, or on the plate. A perfectly piquant and peppery edible flower, you can also eat the leaves and the immature seeds! Amazing in pesto, pasta, and salads. It is not only delicious, but loaded with vitamin A, calcium and other minerals! A small percentage of plants may produce other colored flowers.

Annual. A unique nasturtium that truly resembles an intricately painted orchid. Compact plants top out at just 12" tall and 10" wide and burst with creamy blooms. Each petal is splashed with blood red, a dramatic effect that catches the eye!

Annual. This shock of color is quite unique to nasturtiums! Behold a bewitching color transformation as bold burgundy-purple blooms dissolve to dusty lavender-rose throughout the season. This semi-trailing type makes compact vines reaching 18-24" long. Peppery blooms and leaves add kick to recipes while green seed pods can be pickled into imitation capers.

Inside the Courtyard of the Museum, the hanging of the famed cascading nasturtiums is a harbinger of spring. Isabella established this annual tradition in celebration of her birthday on April 14. The unique display of brilliant orange nasturtium vines spilling down from the Venetian balconies of the Courtyard has inspired artists and visitors to her museum for over a hundred years. After a spring visit to the museum in 1913, Frances Brinley Wharton wrote to Mrs. Gardner:

The garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) has traveled slowly across the world to reach these heights of reverence. At different times in history, the nasturtium has been considered a vegetable, an herb, a flower, and a fruit. Indigenous to South America, its natural habitat is the tropical or subtropical montane forests of the Andes mountains. Prized by the ancient Incas of Peru as both salad vegetable and medicinal herb, wildcrafted nasturtiums were used to make tea to treat respiratory infections and as a poultice for cuts and burns.

Nasturtiums came to North America with European immigrants as early as 1759. Thomas Jefferson first recorded planting nasturtiums in 1774, along with watercress, celery, and radicchio. He used the young, peppery leaves and flowers in salads and pickled the seeds and buds like capers. By 1782, Jefferson included nasturtiums in his lists of ornamentals. His gardening mentor, Bernard McMahon, first sold nasturtium seeds in the United States as an edible plant in 1803.

During the Victorian era, nasturtiums were just as popular for use in bouquets and table arrangements as for preventing scurvy. High in vitamin C, iron, and manganese, all parts of the plant above ground are edible and beneficial. With antiseptic, antifungal, and antibiotic properties, nasturtiums have been used as a traditional medicine for a multitude of purposes. During World War II, the pungent seeds were ground up and used as a substitute for black pepper which, at the time, was much more expensive and in short supply.

What is nasturtium good for? Traditional uses of these plants included making teas and tonics to soothe sore throats and colds, and even using the flowers, seeds and leaves as natural antibiotics to help heal internal infections.

We know from recent research that nasturtium plants have numerous healing properties due to containing antioxidants, vitamins, trace elements and bioactive compounds that can help support the immune, respiratory and digestive systems.

The green leaves and flowers of nasturtiums are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, including vitamin C. According to some studies, the flowers contain about 130 milligrams of vitamin C per 3.5-ounce serving, which is a similar amount to nutrient-dense parsley. 041b061a72