Home gardeners can generally be divided into two broad categories. Those who grow plants for their bounty and those who grow them for their beauty. Gardeners that grow crops for their bounty are more concerned about having plants that can supplement their meals. On the other hand, home gardeners that grow plants for their beauty are more concerned about having an aesthetically pleasing garden.
What if we told you that there are ways that you could do both – that there are certain plants that are not only edible but also beautiful as well? Planting nasturtium seeds in your garden is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this goal. This article gives you a summary of 6 Best Varieties Of Nasturtium to Grow in Australia. Read more to find out what they are.
Here Are Our 6 Best Varieties Of Nasturtium to Grow in Australia
Empress Of India (Tropaeolum majus)
With such a regal name and an equally majestic appearance, it should come as no surprise that nasturtium seeds for the Empress of India cultivar are always in high demand.
The Empress of India is easy to identify due to its iconic scarlet blossoms that grow up to about 2.5 inches when they are fully mature. The rich hue of these flowers is also further accentuated by the plant’s dark blue-green leaves and foliage – a striking contrast that makes the Empress of India stand out in any garden.
Jewel Mix nasturtium gets its name from the brightly colored blooms that it produces. Aside from its appearance, one of the most distinctive things about this nasturtium cultivar is its overall hardiness.
Jewel Mix nasturtium seeds are resilient, easy to grow, and can comfortably survive in temperate (or even dry) climates. These features make this trailing nasturtium cultivar a popular choice for beginner gardeners.
Black Velvet (Tropaeolum majus)
This nasturtium cultivar’s name may be a bit of a misnomer. The flowers have a deep red hue that almost looks black – however it is still an incredibly attractive choice for any garden.
Many gardeners choose to pair it with the Empress of India because of the striking contrast that they have with each other.
Tom Thumb nasturtium seeds are incredibly easy to grow and require very little maintenance once they start to sprout.
This dwarf nasturtium cultivar is well suited for pots and containers but is often used for borders as well.
Alaska Apricot (Tropaeolum majus)
The Alaska Apricot is a dwarf nasturtium that gets its name from its apricot-colored flowers.
These nasturtium seeds are fairly fickle and they fear frost, make sure that your soil is suitable before planting them.
Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)
As the name suggests, the Canary Creeper is a climbing nasturtium cultivar that has vibrant yellow flowers.
Canary Creeper grows best on a trellis or railing and if it has favorable conditions (and is properly cared for) this plant is capable of growing over 3m to 3.6m.
What Parts Of The Nasturtium Plant Are Edible?
While we don’t recommend that you go ahead and eat a handful of nasturtium seeds, the young seed pods can be pickled and used as an alternative to capers.
That being said, the two most common parts of the nasturtium plant that people eat are the leaves and flowers. Leaves that are young and tender usually have the best flavor; however, the taste of the flowers is generally the same whether they are buds or fully mature.
Nasturtium is most commonly used to add a spicy or peppery flavor to green salads and this flavor can vary in strength depending on the time of day that you pick the leaves and flowers. So if you’re a fan of milder flavors, you are better off picking nasturtium leaves and flowers earlier in the day.
So there you have it, 6 Best Varieties Of Nasturtium to Grow in Australia – have you tried growing any of these varities? Let us know, we love hearing about your gardens.