Tropaeolum Salmon Gleam - Trailing Nasturtium Seeds

Tropaeolum majus 'Salmon Gleam' is a trailing nasturtium that displays masses of semi-double to double, pastel-coloured blooms all summer. The 1.5-metre-long vines are perfect for brightening up the flower garden or terrace, happily overflowing from hanging baskets or softening the strict lines of paths and retaining walls. 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, known as Nasturtium, is an annual climbing or trailing plant native to South America. It belongs to the Tropaeolaceae family and comes in various forms, some dwarf and compact, others with a trailing habit. 'Salmon Gleam' is a trailing variety that sends out 1.2- to 1.5-metre-long stems for a height of about 30 cm. It flowers from June to September, displaying an abundance of semi-double to fully double blooms. The ruffled petals display soft shades of creamy orange and apricot, with a slight hint of purple. Pollinated flowers give way to small, pea-like seeds that are easy to sow. The foliage consists of round, medium-green leaves with distinct veining.

Nasturtiums are versatile, easy-going plants that will find their place almost anywhere, from borders to rock gardens and pots to hanging baskets. Trailing varieties are beneficial for ground cover plants or hiding unsightly retaining walls. They can also be trained up support such as a trellis or a fence. 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 nasturtium plants become overwhelmed with aphids, spray them with water and soap.