What is a Trailing Nasturtium?
Trailing nasturtiums are a garden favourite, renowned for their lush, cascading habit that spills elegantly over the edges of containers and walls, creating a vibrant waterfall of colour. Unlike their upright cousins, these varieties possess long, arching stems that naturally extend outwards and downwards, making them perfectly suited for hanging baskets, window boxes, and ground cover. Their cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers, often in shades of orange, yellow, and red, bloom prolifically from early summer until the first frosts, providing continuous visual appeal.
- Trailing nasturtiums create a cascading effect.
- Ideal for hanging baskets and containers.
- Produce prolific, vibrant flowers.
- Easy to grow from seed.
- Flowers and leaves are edible.
The appeal of the trailing nasturtium lies not only in its aesthetic charm but also in its robust nature and versatility. It thrives in a range of conditions, tolerates poor soil, and is generally pest-resistant, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners. Furthermore, both the flowers and the peppery leaves are edible, adding a decorative and flavourful element to salads and culinary dishes. This combination of beauty, ease, and utility cements the trailing nasturtium's status as a popular and rewarding plant for any garden setting.
Choosing the Right Trailing Nasturtium Variety
When selecting trailing nasturtiums, gardeners have a delightful array of cultivars to choose from, each offering a slightly different habit and bloom intensity. Understanding these variations helps in achieving the desired visual impact. While all 'trailing' types will spread, some are more vigorous growers, producing longer stems and a denser cascade, whereas others might have a more controlled, semi-trailing habit. Consider the space available and the desired effect – a riotous tumble of colour or a more refined drape.
Popular varieties often feature names that hint at their performance. For instance, 'Trailing Rose' offers soft pink and apricot blooms, creating a gentler cascade, while 'Salmon Baby' provides beautiful peachy-pink flowers. 'Chameleon' is notable for its flowers changing colour as they mature, adding dynamic interest. For those seeking a truly vigorous cascade that can cover significant ground or spill dramatically from a high vantage point, varieties like 'Alaska' (which also offers variegated foliage) or the highly prolific 'Jewel of the Nile' series are excellent choices. These can grow stems exceeding 60cm in length, ensuring a substantial floral display.
Key Characteristics to Compare
When evaluating different trailing nasturtium cultivars, pay attention to the following traits:
- Growth Habit: Note descriptions such as 'vigorous trailing', 'semi-trailing', or 'spreading'. This dictates how far and how quickly the plant will grow.
- Flower Colour Range: While many are known for oranges and reds, look for specific shades like apricot, salmon, deep crimson, or even bicolours if that suits your planting scheme.
- Foliage: Some varieties, like 'Alaska', feature attractive mottled or variegated leaves that add interest even before the flowers fully develop.
- Maturity Time: While nasturtiums are generally quick growers, knowing the approximate time from sowing to flowering can help in planning.
It is important to differentiate true trailing varieties from climbing nasturtiums that require support to grow upwards. Trailing types are naturally inclined to spread and drape, making them the only suitable choice for authentic cascading displays in hanging baskets and containers.
Planting and Caring for Trailing Nasturtiums
Successfully growing trailing nasturtiums is remarkably straightforward, making them a rewarding choice for gardeners of all skill levels. They prefer a sunny spot but can tolerate partial shade, although flowering may be less prolific in shadier conditions. Crucially, nasturtiums dislike overly rich soil and excessive feeding, as this encourages lush foliage at the expense of abundant blooms. In fact, they perform best in poorer soil conditions, which can make them more compact and flower more profusely.
Sowing Seeds and Initial Care
The easiest way to propagate trailing nasturtiums is by sowing seeds directly into their final position or into pots, usually from spring after the last frost. Nasturtium seeds are quite large and easy to handle. For best results, sow them about 2-3cm deep. If planting in containers or hanging baskets, sow 2-3 seeds per pot, thinning to the strongest seedling once they have germinated. For direct sowing into borders, space plants around 20-30cm apart, depending on the variety's vigour.
Water gently after sowing. Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days. Once established, trailing nasturtiums are relatively drought-tolerant, though regular watering, particularly during dry spells and for plants in containers, will encourage continuous flowering. Avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot.
Ongoing Maintenance for Abundant Blooms
Feeding is usually not necessary. If your soil is very poor, a single application of a balanced liquid feed diluted to half strength early in the season might be beneficial, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers. Pruning is generally not required, although you can trim back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Deadheading spent flowers isn't strictly necessary either, as the plant will continue to produce new blooms.
A common mistake is over-fertilising, which leads to fewer flowers. Stick to a well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded location for the best cascading display.
Ensure adequate drainage, especially in containers; nasturtiums detest sitting in soggy soil, so check that your pots have drainage holes and consider using a grit-based compost mix for hanging baskets.
Pest and Disease Management
Nasturtiums are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they can occasionally be affected by aphids, particularly on new growth. A strong jet of water can often dislodge them, or a mild soap solution can be used if the infestation is severe. Whiteflies can sometimes be an issue in warmer conditions. Fungal diseases like downy mildew can occur in very damp or humid conditions, especially if plants are overcrowded. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering are key preventive measures.
Companion Planting and Uses for Trailing Nasturtiums
Beyond their striking visual appeal, trailing nasturtiums offer practical benefits in the garden through companion planting and their culinary uses. Their peppery scent is thought to deter certain pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and some beetles, from more delicate nearby plants. This makes them an excellent companion for vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and brassicas, as well as for other flowering plants that are susceptible to these common garden nuisances.
Imagine a border where rich red trailing nasturtiums spill over the front, interspersed with compact marigolds, creating a vibrant, pest-deterring display. They can also be planted alongside less vigorous plants like sweet peas or smaller fuchsias, where their trailing habit can fill gaps and add a splash of continuous colour. While they don't aggressively climb like true vines, their spreading nature can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, benefiting the plants around them.
Edible Delights from Your Garden
The entire nasturtium plant is edible, offering a mild peppery flavour reminiscent of watercress. The bright flowers, in shades of yellow, orange, red, and sometimes pink, are particularly popular for garnishing salads, desserts, and drinks. Their vibrant colours and unique taste add a gourmet touch to any dish. The leaves, too, can be used in salads or as a peppery wrap, offering a flavourful alternative to more common salad greens. For a unique twist, try stuffing the flowers with a soft cheese mixture before serving.
When considering culinary uses, ensure that the plants have been grown organically and are free from any chemical treatments. The seeds, known as 'Indian cress seeds', can also be pickled and used as a substitute for capers, providing a spicy kick to sauces and dishes.
The dual nature of the trailing nasturtium—both a beautiful ornamental and a functional, edible plant—makes it an invaluable addition to diverse garden designs and culinary adventures.
Their ability to naturalise in milder climates, coupled with their ease of growth from seed, means you can enjoy their cascading beauty and peppery flavour year after year. Whether you are aiming to attract beneficial insects, deter pests, add vibrant colour to hanging baskets, or infuse your meals with a unique flavour, the trailing nasturtium provides a charming and effective solution.