Nasturtium ‘Empress of India’ has deep crimson flowers that stand out against rich green leaves, each with a pale centre and star-like veining. Beautiful and practical, it’s great among your veg or in the greenhouse, where you can enjoy the edible flowers, leaves, and seed heads. It also looks particularly striking planted alongside pale green lettuces.
🌸 Flowering: June to September
📏 Height: 25cm
🌿Annual
SOW: start seeds under cover in pots or modules about 2cm deep during February or March. Or sow them directly where you want them to flower in April or May. If you start them in pots, make sure to harden them off before planting out.
GROW: nasturtiums like free-draining soil and actually do better in poor soil. Too much rich compost or feeding will just give you loads of leaves and fewer flowers. For containers, try using low-nutrient seed compost when planting. Keep them watered regularly until they’re settled, then they pretty much look after themselves.
ENJOY: peppery flowers and leaves liven up salads, and the seed heads can be pickled like capers. Also a useful companion: try it as a sacrificial plant near crops like broad beans to attract blackfly, and it’s even said to benefit apple trees.
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