Kew for Kids : Nasturtium Tom Thumb

Hardy Annual

• Flowers in : Summer to frost
• Germination : Easy
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Bedding, Borders, Children, Cottage Gardens
• Special Features : Edible Flowers
• Height : 9 inches

Description

Dwarf compact plants bearing brilliantly coloured single' flowers in a wide colour range. Easy plants, for beds, borders, containers and even dry sunny banks. Height 15-23cm (6-9in).

Sowing Instructions

Sow outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing. Sow 20mm (¾in) deep, in rows 30cm (12in) apart.
For earlier flowering: Sow seed, 1cm (½in) deep, 3 seeds per 7.5cm (3in) pot, in free-draining, damp seed compost. Place at 20-29C (68-86F) until after germination. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after risk of frost. Before planting into containers, ensure plants are well rooted in their pots.

Growing Instructions

Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost. They flower most freely in poor dryish soils.

Aftercare

They flower most freely in full sun and poor dryish soils. Before planting in containers make sure they are well rooted in their pots.

Kitchen Notes

The leaves taste like watercress, the flowers add a spicy touch to salads and the green seeds can be chopped and used with parsley as a garnish or made into a substitute for capers.