I am about to head up to Boundary Waters for a week of communing with nature. It’s going to be me, three hardened outdoorsmen and the wild. I. Can. Not. Wait. I will do my best to not hug every tree within sight, but I’m sure I will at least be salivating at the untouched wilderness around me. Since this trip is annual for the three men I’m accompanying to Minnesota, I thought I would talk about an annual for this week’s Plant of the Week. This week we will talk about Tropaeolum majus or Nasturtium.

Why Plant Nasturtium?

Nasturtium is a perfect way to add a loud blast of color to your front door, back patio, perennial border, or really anywhere you want to add some pizzazz. Flowers come in reds, oranges, yellows and creams, blooming from May through September. This annual is very low maintenance and in some ways you could say it likes to be neglected. This makes it extremely easy to grow and desirable for those who do not want to spend long hours outside caring for their yard. Its round leaves are unique and it has a vining habit which makes it great for hanging baskets or to drape down a wall. This is even an edible plant, with a peppery taste to its flowers and foliage.

Where to Plant Nasturtium?

Anywhere there is full sun! I would primarily use this as a container plant here in Indiana, but let your imagination guide you. I love to use this in hanging baskets or containers that allow it to drape over the sides and put out its full affect. However tucking this into a rock wall or training it up a trellis are also beautiful ways to incorporate this annual into your landscape. There are not any major soil requirements for this plant, and fertilization is actual not encouraged; just keep it watered and give it access to lots of early day sun.

What does Eagleson Landscape Co. Think?

I think this plant is beautiful and would rate it an A-. I will doc it for being an annual, which is a bit unfair, but the added need to replant every year could get old for some. However, Nasturtium is a fabulous annual with glowing flowers and interesting foliage. Read more about this plant here and think of ways to use it at your home!