Tropaeolum minus Baby Rose

The Tropaeolum minus 'Baby Rose' is a dwarf nasturtium variety ideal for pots, hanging baskets, and flower borders. With its dense and neat cushion, this charming little plant has bright pink-red flowers that stand out against its dark green foliage. Not very cold resistant, this little nasturtium is grown as an annual in sunny locations and in cool soil. 'Baby Rose' was awarded the gold medal by Fleuroselect in 2020.

The dwarf nasturtium, or Tropaeolum minus, is a frost-sensitive perennial plant native to the mountainous regions of Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to the Tropaeolaceae family, just like its close relative, the larger nasturtium Tropaeolum majus, also known as garden nasturtium. Many varieties of nasturtiums have been developed, including 'Baby Rose', a recently selected cultivar by Takii in Japan. In just one season, this plant forms a small bushy clump measuring 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) in height and 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) in width. The leaves of the nasturtium are composed of small round, peltate leaves with radiating veins, in a dark glaucous green colour. It blooms from June to September-October, offering numerous small tubular flowers with 5 petals in intense magenta pink with white reverses, sometimes slightly speckled or edged in white, and equipped with a spur. In our climates, pollination of this plant is mainly carried out by bumblebees. After flowering, fruits form, containing seeds slightly smaller than peas, which are easy to sow.

Pair 'Baby Rose' nasturtium with begonias, lavender, and perennial geraniums. Blue fescue complements the colour of its foliage. In the vegetable garden and orchard, it helps eliminate harmful insects. Its edible leaves and flowers can be added raw to salads, sauces, and mayonnaise. They have a pungent and aromatic flavor reminiscent of watercress. The flower buds and young fruits can also be pickled, providing an alternative to capers.

The nasturtium gets its vernacular name from the spur that its flowers possess, resembling the hood of the habit of Capuchin monks. It is a medicinal and aromatic plant.