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The annual Nasturtium is a delightful thing. The best forms grow with a reckless enthusiasm and would cheerfully embrace the world in their arms.
I grow it from time to time for the entertainment. The RHS say: "A strong-growing, annual climber which will scramble over the ground or up a support. Circular, wavy-edged leaves are supported, parasol-like, by a central stalk. The long-spurred flowers, in shades of red, yellow and orange, appear in summer and autumn. The whole plant has a sharp aroma. Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension say: "Early English herbalists referred to nasturtiums as “Indian cress” after the conquistadors discovered them in the jungles of Peru and Mexico and brought them back to Spain in the 16th century." Missouri Botanical Garden say: "Genus name comes from the Greek word tropaion meaning a trophy and the Latin word tropaeum named by Linnaeus for its resemblance to a classical trophy." |
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| 28th July 2007 | ||