by Diane Garrod

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2011

Nasturtiums come in a variety of blazing, hot colors. They are very hardy plants. Nasturiums are my garden favorite because once they bloom they bear flowers all summer until the first frost. In the Pacific Northwest, where I live and grow these beautiful flowers, they sometimes reappear a second year. They are easy to grow, the flowers and leaves are edible and a great complement to a salad, and best of all, they are drought tolerant.

The color is what draws me to these beautiful, edible flowers. I've had them in the bright red of the more specialized India Nasturtium and the bright orange Double Dwarf Jewel, as well as an orange/yellow variety called Alaska.

Simply start them from seeds and soak overnight to speed germination time. Then just make 1/2 inch deep holes with your finger. Allow for 6 inches between plantings. I'm always amazed at how quickly these grow and how hardy they are from seeds put directly into the garden.

Sow two seeds per hole just in case one doesn't sprout. Cover with soil and pat lightly. Then water well and apply a liquid fertilizer. Mulch lightly and you can thin the seedlings when they are about two-inches tall, or leave them if you like the Nasturtiums to grow densely. You can also buy seedlings or plants in bloom at your local nursery.

Nasturtiums do best in full sun and light shade. They also thrive in cooler weather. They need well-drained soil, but not too rich as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in a spread of leaves and leggy plants and fewer blooms.

I've had Nasturtiums edging the driveway and in an elevated backyard bed near ornamental grasses. They've rambled up the porch and graced hanging baskets and containers.

The only problem Nasturtiums seem to bring is that aphids love them. If you see tiny black, brown, white or green white bugs, simply wash them off or handpick. Aphids are big enough to spot and grab.

In the Fall, before the first frost, pull up the plants and mix petals and stems into salads or sandwiches. Many people then simply compost the annual. In the Pacific Northwest, I just leave them in the flower beds hoping for a mild winter and that they'll come up again the next year.

If you like volumes of color, dainty, yet hardy plants and have plenty of sun drenched areas, Nasturtiums are for you and they will not disappoint. More likely, they will surprise.

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