Looking to add a splash of color to your garden that will endure the summer? Nasturtiums (Nasturtium—Tropaeolum spp.) may be just what you are looking for as a potted display or cover a corner in your garden.
Nasturtiums have both annual and perennial varieties that are native to South and Central America. They will also do well inSolano County and nearby areas. The most common flower color you will see is an attractive orange, but they also come in many other vibrant colors such as reddish-brown, yellow, red, and white. These plants add apizzazz to the garden and will bloom from spring through fall.
The Nasturtium flowers are funnel-shaped, which are perfect for our hummingbird friends. They also attract a wide variety of other beneficial insects and pollinators into your garden. I like to plant them near my raised-bed veggie gardens, since they also attract and divert pests (aphids and beetles) from my crops. Nasturtiums also seem to maintain well under minor pest invasions. If the pests become too invasive, I just give the plants a little spray with the water hose to take care of the problem.
I also enjoy the Nasturtium foliage, which have round and radiant green leaves with light-colored veins that pop out. I think they look like little happy faces reaching out to greet the sunshine.
Caring for Nasturtiums is quite easy. They do well in full sun or partial shade. You can start them from seeds or purchase seedlings. According to the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM), Nasturtiums should do fine in any type of well-drained soil and especially thrive in sandy soil. Some varieties are drought tolerant, but most of them appreciate consistent watering.
I have had Nasturtiums planted at the foot of my raised-bed gardens for years. They add an accent to the area and give me joy every time I stroll through the garden. I recently lost a potted plant we have on an antique little table on our patio and thought that maybe Nasturtiums could add a splash to this area too.
I uncovered a whimsical strawberry pot that I inherited from my mother and decided to experiment with some Nasturtiums to fill the area. I planted a couple of seedlings in each of the pot openings and patiently waited to see how they turned out. Voilà, they are beautiful!