Tropaeolum lobbianum Moonlight

The Tropaeolum lobbianum 'Moonlight' is a variety of climbing nasturtium that is characterised by its beautiful yellow flowers that resemble moonlight. It is ideal for ornamental use and flowerbeds, as well as vegetable gardens, in full sunlight. Vigorous and floriferous, it attracts useful insects (bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, etc.). It is versatile and can be grown on various supports in the garden: hedges, walls, trellises, balconies, pergolas, etc.

The Tropaeolum lobbianum, commonly known as Lobb's Nasturtium or Lobb's Giant Nasturtium, is an annual herbaceous plant, climbing or creeping, belonging to the Tropaeolaceae family. Native to Colombia, along with its close relative, Tropaeolum majus (native to Peru), they are grown in gardens, forming a plant composed of long intertwining stems of 3 to 5 metres (10 to 16 feet) in length, and offering a particularly intense flowering from June until the first frost. Introduced to Europe from the 17th century, nasturtiums found their place mainly in the gardens of priests, where their edible properties were already well-known. At that time, Louis XIV was one of its first enthusiasts.

The variety 'Moonlight' blooms profusely from June to October. From sowing, it forms a climbing plant that in one season produces stems 2.50 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) long. Its petiolate leaves are green, rounded, kidney-shaped, and undulate, measuring 5 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter. The cream-yellow flowers, funnel-shaped, with 5 fringed petals and 5 pointed sepals, develop solitarily in the axils of the leaves. Bees are the main pollinators of this plant in our climates. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing seeds slightly smaller than peas, which are easy to sow.

Nasturtium is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in many dishes. Leaves, flower buds, flowers, and seeds can be consumed. It gives an original and delicate touch to a simple green salad. The leaves and flowers can be added raw to sauces, mayonnaises, or salads; their flavor is spicy, aromatic with a peppery taste reminiscent of watercress. The flower buds and young fruits can also be pickled to offer a substitute for capers.

The climbing 'Moonlight' Nasturtium ensures exuberant and colourful flowering that illuminates the garden. It adapts to all styles of gardens by climbing any available support or as a ground cover. In pots or containers, but large enough, it finds its place to enhance a balcony, terrace, or patio. It is also an asset for gardeners as it attracts aphids and keeps them away from sensitive vegetables. Leaves and stems covered in aphids can be cut or left to feed beneficial insects. In a natural and organic garden, it is possible to prepare an extract based on nasturtium to treat plants.