Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are fast-growing plants that look beautiful in flowerbeds, pathways, and containers. Hummingbirds are attracted to their long-spurred blossoms. In addition to that, the young leaves are edible and used to add a spicy flavor to salads. The nasturtium is an excellent annual flower for regions with mild climates. Let’s look at a few varieties of this popular flower to try growing in your garden.
1. ‘Alaska’
‘Alaska’ is particularly distinctive due to the apparent green and white marbling on the leaves. This trailing variety reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches. The vivid, multicolored blooms add to the show in the early summer and late fall.
‘Alaska’ has a gorgeous dwarf variety with yellow, orange, mahogany, and cream blossoms. Their immature seeds can be pickled and used like capers, while the flowers can be tossed into salads.
2. ‘Empress of India’
The ‘Empress of India’ nasturtium features magnificent dark blue-green foliage and abundant, velvety crimson-scarlet flowers. The plant stands out even before it begins to bloom due to its distinctive leaf color.
It is easy to grow, rarely grows taller than 12 inches, and has a tidy, compact semi-trailing habit that makes it ideal for containers, pots, window boxes, or borders. They’re great for filling gaps in the garden or around the edges of your flower and vegetable patches.
3. ‘Jewel’
‘Jewel’ nasturtiums are trailing varieties featuring beautiful, vibrantly colored blooms. This small nasturtium reaches a height of 18 to 24 inches at maturity and is ideal for gardens and pots. It’s an excellent choice for children or inexperienced gardeners due to the remarkable vitality of its seeds.
Jewel is also available in a dwarf variety with a bushy growth habit ideal for window boxes and pots. This variety is among the most popular due to the colors available. The 2 1/2-inch flowers come in shades of peach, carmine, yellow, and salmon.
4. ‘Peach Melba’
The ‘peach melba’ flowers are a creamy yellow color with bright red centers, resembling the inside of clingstone peaches and stunning blue-gray foliage. Unlike other nasturtiums, this species can tolerate some shade, although it requires full sun for optimum blooming. This cultivar is excellent for garden beds or containers because of its compact, bushy form.
5. ‘Yeti’
Yeti nasturtium was named after a mythical ape-like creature that lives in the Himalayas. This tall vining annual grows swiftly and blooms from midsummer through the first frost. It features large leaves and creamy-white flowers that bloom on long trailing vines. Yeti is used in vegetable gardens as a companion plant for many crops.
6. ‘Black Velvet’
‘Black Velvet’ is an abundant bloomer, producing deep red flowers that almost appear black. Bright yellow centers contrast the dark red petals. The plant matures at 10 to 12 inches in 75 days. This crimson-colored nasturtium adds depth to your garden’s color palette.
