Tropaeolum majus Whirlybird Mix Seeds - Dwarf Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus 'Whirlybird Mix' is a superb collection featuring masses of upwards facing, semi-double blooms in a wide range of warm, soft or bright shades. These dwarf nasturtiums form compact plants with beautiful dark green foliage, especially suited to hanging baskets, window boxes and containers. Nasturtiums are famously easy to sow and easy to grow. They will give good results in loose, average garden soil with plenty of sunshine.

Tropaeolum majus, commonly known as Nasturtium, is an annual climbing or trailing plant native to South America. It belongs to the Tropaeolaceae family and comes in a variety of forms, some of which are dwarf and compact, others with a trailing habit. 'Whirlybird Mix' forms 30-35 cm mounds in one growing season. It flowers from June to September, displaying an abundance of semi-double blooms in an array of colours, upwards facing and carried well above the foliage. Colours include cherry red, tangerine orange, scarlet red, mahogany, lemon yellow and cream. Pollinated flowers give way to small, pea-like seeds that are easy to sow. The foliage consists in round, light green leaves with distinct veining.

Nasturtiums are versatile, easy going plants that will find their place almost anywhere, from borders to rock gardens, pots to hanging baskets. They enjoy cool, loose soil and a sunny position. All parts of the plant are edible: leaves and flowers can be tossed into summer salads; seeds can be pickled in vinegar like capers. Nasturtiums can also be grown as companion plants in vegetable gardens or orchards as they create a diversion for unwanted insects such as aphids (whilst providing valuable food for ladybird larvae), steering them away from your precious crops. If your nasturtiums plants become overwhelmed with aphids, try spraying them with a mixture of water and soap.