Nasturtiums: Flowers
You Can Eat!
Prized for their sweet-spicy flavor, these mounding heirlooms are among the most widely grown of all edible flowers. With a bit of a peppery tang, Nasturtium blossoms are often added to salads as a zesty garnish, and a sprinkling of colorful Nasturtium blossoms lends the perfect finishing touch to cold Cucumber soup or fresh pineapple sorbet. We adore the deep blue-green, lily pad-like foliage of Nasturtiums almost as much as their flowers. We use the edible leaves as doilies under cheese platters, cakes and individual soup tureens.  They can also be added to salads for a dash of peppery spice.

  Nasturtiums flower profusely from early summer until the first fall frost. Mounding/Bush varieties are great for borders, while Climbing/Trailing varieties are suited to window boxes, hanging baskets and trellises. You'll be charmed and amazed at their cheerful colors and vigorous growth.
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They're So Easy to Grow!
While you certainly can start Nasturtium seeds indoors, it's easiest to sow them directly into your garden beds in well-draining, loamy soil after the last frost date (find yours HERE .)  While they will grow in partial shade, Nasturtiums flower more profusely in full sun, though in hot climates they appreciate a bit of protection from the sun in the hottest part of the day.  Plant the seeds 1" deep, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep the bed uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. Weed and keep the bed well-watered until the plants are established.  Thin or transplant the seedlings to 8" to 12" apart in the garden.

 Believe it or not,  Nasturtiums perform better in soil that's lean rather than rich. If the plants have easy access to too much Nitrogen, they will produce a sea of foliage and few flowers. Nasturtiums are drought-tolerant, but perform best when moderately watered once established. They flower best with cooler nights. Mounding varieties are wonderful for containers, too!
Choose Mounding or Climbing, and from a Range of Warm Hues
The only difficult part about growing Nasturtiums is choosing which ones to grow. You may select from among our compact, mounding varieties including Black Velvet, Empress of India, Milkmaid,  Peach Melba and our special Alaska Nasturtium Mixture, which has variegated foliage and flowers that include gold, orange, salmon and mahogany. Or try our Old-Fashioned Tawny Nasturtium Mixture for a dense, trellis-climbing display of orange, yellow and scarlet flowers. Trying all of them is an even better idea!
These sultry, elegant flowers are very dark red, in fact, almost black. They're dramatic and exciting. Height: 12" to 18".
This yummy favorite has exquisite, semi-double blossoms that are creamy primrose-yellow with pearly-red spots. Height: 12" to 18".
These ivory flowers are delicately veined deeper ivory to pale yellow leading to a softly glowing yellow throat. Height: 12" to 14".
This traditional, must-grow classic variety has brilliant, crimson-scarlet flowers with contrasting, dark blue-green foliage. Height: 12" to 18".
This trellising heirloom yields a bounty of single flowers in solid and bicolor orange, yellow and scarlet. This mixture can also stealthily trail and cover the garden, as you can see in this photo. Height: 5' - 8'.
Our brilliant Alaska Nasturtium Mixture is a beautiful blend of gold, orange, salmon and mahogany flowers with the most gorgeous variegated foliage. The ivory-white variegation varies from leaf to leaf. Height: 12" to 14".
More Edible Flowers to Brighten Up Summer Menus
Nothing elevates a summer meal more than a scattering of colorful edible flowers. Beyond Nasturtiums, there are oodles of edible flowers you can add to your garden this year. Even if they never make it to your plate, they'll adorn your garden in fetching fashion. Here are just a few we offer .
Viola tricolor. With their mild, wintergreen-mint flavor, these charming, old-fashioned, tri-colored blossoms are a prized, decorative edible from olden days. Perennial. HZ: 4-8. Spring and summer-flowering. Height: 12". 
Centuarea cyanus. Used as edible garnishes, a natural food dye and cut flowers, Bachelor's Buttons are as gorgeous as they are versatile and practical. Bee friendly. Deer resistant. Hardy Annual. Summer Flowering. Height: 3'. 
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Tagetes tenuifolia. Signets form mounds of fine foliage and dime-sized edible flowers. While typical Marigolds can have a strong scent, Signet foliage is lighter and citrusy. Deer resistant. Annual. Summer to fall flowering. Height: 10" to 12". 
Borago officinalis. Borage's young, tender leaves taste of cucumber. Its gentian-blue flowers are irresistible to beneficial insects and humans alike. Use in cold drinks, atop desserts or in decorative ice cubes. Bee friendly. Annual.
Allium schoenoprasum. Clean, dry, dice and freeze fresh Chive stems for use in savory omelets and herbed butters. The lavender flowers create beautiful bottles of pink Chive vinegar for light, zingy salad dressings. Perennial. HZ: 3-9. 
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Bellis perennis. English Daisies are adorable ans=d beloved in European gardens. Toss fresh flower petals like confetti into salads and soups. English Daisies abhor heat. In warmer climates, afternoon shade is a must. Biennial. HZ: 4-8.