Night and Day Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is an enchanting annual that combines vibrant color and edible beauty in your garden. Known for its striking contrast of dark red and yellow blooms, this variety adds an exciting pop of color to garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets. In addition to its ornamental value, both the leaves and flowers are edible, offering a peppery flavor that enhances salads, sandwiches, and more. This fast-growing plant also attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a fantastic addition to any garden.
Key Benefits
- Edible Leaves and Flowers: Both the bright flowers and tender leaves are edible, offering a zesty, peppery flavor perfect for culinary uses.
- Attracts Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are drawn to its vibrant blooms, enhancing your garden's ecosystem.
- Fast-Growing Annual: Quick to bloom from seed, providing an instant burst of color to your garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for, ideal for beginner gardeners or those looking for a low-maintenance plant with a big impact.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Night and Day Nasturtiums are fairly drought-tolerant, making them a great option for low-water gardens.
- Versatile Use: Perfect for adding color to garden beds, climbing trellises, or spilling over containers and hanging baskets.
How to Plant Night and Day Nasturtium Seeds
Planting Season:
- Spring: Start seeds outdoors after the last frost date for your area, or sow indoors 4-6 weeks earlier for an earlier start.
Seed Preparation:
- Soaking Tip: Soak seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting to help speed up germination.
Planting Instructions:
- Depth: Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep into the soil.
- Spacing: Space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for adequate growth and air circulation.
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. For best blooms, plant in a sunny spot, though it can tolerate some light shade.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-draining soil, though it can tolerate a range of soil types.
Water and Care
- Watering Needs: Water regularly during the growing season, especially during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering, as Nasturtiums prefer slightly dry conditions.
- Fertilizer: Avoid heavy fertilization, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms and maintain a neat appearance. If the plant becomes too leggy, prune back to encourage bushier growth.
- Hardiness Zones: Best suited for USDA zones 9-11 but can be grown as an annual in colder zones.
Perfect For
- Edible Gardens: Both the flowers and leaves are edible and add a spicy kick to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.
- Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a fantastic addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.
- Container Gardening: Works beautifully in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets, where its trailing vines and vibrant blooms make a statement.
- Flower Borders: Perfect for adding a pop of color to garden borders or as a companion plant in mixed beds.
- Culinary Gardens: An excellent plant for those who love to cook with fresh, homegrown ingredients.
Recommended Coverage
- Packet: Covers approximately 10-12 square feet, allowing you to create vibrant, pollinator-friendly flower beds or container arrangements.
Brighten Your Garden and Plate with Night and Day Nasturtiums
Night and Day Nasturtiums offer more than just beauty – they bring vibrant colors, edible leaves and flowers, and pollinator-friendly benefits to your garden. Whether you’re looking to create a culinary garden, attract butterflies, or simply add a splash of color, this easy-to-grow plant is a versatile addition. Order your seeds today and start growing these striking, edible flowers in your garden!
