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Nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) - Plants of the mountain region from New Granada to Chili, seldom descending into the plains, and therefore not requiring great heat. This, indeed, is against them; on the other hand, the first frost cuts most of them to the ground. They love a half-shaded situation in the open air during summer. There are annual and perennial species, and the perennials may be divided into groups, with fibrous and with tuberous roots. The rapid growth of the annuals, T. majus and T. minus, is proverbial, and their hardiness in a temperature above freezing-point, as well as their indifference to soil, makes them useful where anything unsightly is to be hidden.
A correspondent wrote to The Garden: "This beautiful climber dislikes hot sun and a dry atmosphere, and this accounts for many failures in growing it. Several years ago a friend who knew nothing of the plant received some roots from the fine old plant at Lismore Castle. By my advice some were planted against a west wall, in front of which grew some good-sized Nut-bushes and Apple-trees, so that in the hot summer weather the sun could only reach the plants for a couple of hours daily. The remaining roots were planted against a north wall with scarcely any sun, and at the west end of the dwelling-house, where the full force of the afternoon sun was felt. In all these cases the soil was alike. The plants behind the Nut-bushes and Apple-trees grew remarkably well, and bloomed as freely as could be expected in the first year of planting. On the north wall the growth was good, though the flowers were not so numerous; but in the sunny position, although the roots made a little growth, they withered away as soon as the sun made itself felt. There could be no better proof that success with the Flame-flower is a matter of position, and that, even in the southern counties, there are probably few gardens where its requirements cannot be met.
"When a position is selected, the soil should be made light, deep, and free by leaf-mould, peat, fibry loam, and sand, according to the nature of the ground. Mulch in summer with an inch or two of leaf-mould or manure to prevent excessive evaporation; and whatever manure is used, it must be well decayed. The young plants should be planted in spring, the roots being inserted 6 or 8 inches in the soil and well watered."
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Nasturtium Pictures
 Armoracia rusticana P.G. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. - horseradish |
 Neobeckia aquatica (Eat.) Greene - lakecress |
Related Flowers
Canary Creeper
Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum Aduncum) - A favourite, and almost unrivalled for elegance among native creepers. Its home is uncertain. It occurs all over the west of S. America, from Mexico to Chili, but it has doubtless spread from the Andes. It thrives in sun or shade, but is best in a north aspect, festooning trellises, arbours, shrubs, etc., and rarely fails even in town gardens. Seeds should be sown in April in the open ground in sandy loam. Syn., T. canariense.
Tropaeolum Heyneanum
Tropaeolum Heyneanum - A beautiful perennial climber with flowers akin to those of the common Canary Creeper, but rather smaller and of an orange color; they are distinct also in shape, the lower petals being nearly as large as the upper, with a straight spur instead of a hooked claw. Peru. Easily raised from imported seed.
Tropaeolum Lobbianum
Tropaeolum Lobbianum - This fine annual climber is easily known from the old T. majus by its hairy foliage, though the flowers are in similar shades of yellow, scarlet, and crimson. The plant will clothe unsightly spots, seeds being sown about the middle of April. The plant has a pleasing effect sown here and there amongst shrubs. As the plants grow they attach themselves to the bushes, and climbing over or through them, throw out wreaths of lovely blossoms, which retain their beauty until frost.
Large Indian Cress
Large Indian Cress (Tropaeolum Majus) - A showy annual, coming into flower more quickly, and few bloom longer. In poor soil the compactum forms bloom best. Their rich colors are superb in masses, and they are never without flowers from first to last. All who love rich masses of color will find these dwarf Nasturtiums worth a place in some of the many fine sorts now obtainable.
Tropaeolum Pentaphyllum
Tropaeolum Pentaphyllum - A rapid-growing climber, 6 to 10 feet high, with greenish-red flowers. It will cover pillars, walls, chains, bowers, and revels in sunshine, succeeding well on the south wall of a greenhouse or in any warm aspect. It does best in light and warm loams or calcareous soils. Division or seed. Chili.
Tropaeolum Polyphyllum
Tropaeolum Polyphyllum - One of the most beautiful trailers introduced. While its foliage may form a dense carpet on a bank, its wreaths of yellow flowers follow in windings and groupings, its leaves glaucous and cut into fine leaflets. In a warm rock garden the stems creep about, snake-like, through the neighboring vegetation, sometimes extending 3 or 4 feet. The root is tuberous, and increases in the earth borders. It springs up early, and dies down too soon after flowering—its only fault. It is hardy in my garden, and thrives in various positions. Chilian Cordilleras.
Tropaeolum Smithi
Tropaeolum Smithi - A beautiful plant from a great elevation in the Andes of north-western S. America. It is a twiner of free, robust habit, bearing smooth glossy leaves deeply cut into five broad lobes. The flowers are large and funnel-shaped, ending in a long green-tipped spur; the calyx is rich ruby red, with finely fringed and lobed petals of orange veined with bright red. Flowers in June and July, and may be raised from seed and treated as a hardy annual during summer.
Flame Nasturtium
Flame Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Speciosum) - A splendid creeper, with long and elegant annual shoots, clothed with leaves from the axils of which spring brilliant vermilion flowers. Quite a free grower in Scotland; in the south it is best among shrubs and in half-shady spots, also often thrives in hedgerows. It makes its way through evergreen shrubs, and enjoys a deep, rich, and rather moist soil, in cool places, or near the sea, where no pains should be spared to establish it. At North Walsham (5 miles from Cromer), the curtains of growth, flower, and fruit against the high walls are among the features of these well-known gardens.
Tropaeolum Tuberosum
Tropaeolum Tuberosum - A distinct and beautiful tuberous-rooted climber from Peru, with slender stems 10 to 12 feet high, and a profusion of showy scarlet and yellow flowers on slender stalks. It flowers late, so as to be often spoiled by frost, but in sheltered places and a mild autumn will bloom into November. It should be grown in open spots in the poorest of soils, with its branches supported or allowed to trail along the ground. As it is not hardy in all soils, lift the tubers in autumn, and store in a dry place till spring.