Nose Twisters

Images of two annual Nasturtiums in my garden. Every year I tuck a few plants here and there among the perennials - they never disappoint.

When is the last time you had a "nose twister"?

The popularity of flowers come and goes, but, the nose twister needs to stay. Nose-twister is the literal name (in Latin) for nasturtium. It was named for the peppery taste and it's effect on your nose.

Back in the late 1500s, famed herbalist John Gerard was just being introduced to the "Vertues" of nasturtiums from the area of the Andes from Bolivia north to Columbia. At that time, there was no distinction between what we grow today, Tropaeolum majus, and the Nasturtium watercress, which is in the mustard family.

Sometimes when an annual flower is so very easy to grow and has so many benefits, it is overlooked for the new and unusual. Let me share why you should consider putting nasturtiums in your flower and garden spaces this spring.

The flowers are beautiful. If they are viewed up close, the form resembles a very bright orchid. They now come in shades of cream, reds, oranges, and yellow plus variegated. They are mostly singles but the Jewel Series are doubles. They brighten the garden and make beautiful small bouquets. Cut flowers in water last about a week in the house.

The leaves are almost round and range from solid dark green to the Alaska Series which are white mottled. They form clumps and some vine, climb, or trail. This makes their use in borders, cottage gardens, pots, window boxes and handing baskets all viable.

The nasturtium plants do better with no fertilization (too much and you will have all leaves and no flowers.) They are simply not picky except they prefer sun (a little shade will not kill them but it will decrease the number of flowers.) They may stop producing flowers during the very hottest parts of summer. Given a little shade in the middle of the day, they will usually keep blooming right through the heat. Deadheading prolongs blooming.

Organic farmers may use nasturtiums as a black fly aphid buffer circling their fields. A free lunch in hopes they won't move on to their cash crops. Aphids are the one pest they may bother them although I've never had this happen. Aphids can be hosed off or picked off. It is thought nasturtiums repel squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and several caterpillars.

The nasturtium is host for the Dot Moth, Garden Carpet moth and the pest, Cabbage White Butterfly.

Nasturtiums have no poisonous parts which make it a food product as well as safe around children and pets. Flowers are used in salads and the young leaves have a stronger peppery taste.

The flowers can be used in cream soups, herb butters, cheese spreads, and flavor white vinegar. Pickle the buds as a substitute for capers or grind the seeds and use like pepper. The flowers make a beautiful garnish for salads, vegetables and cakes.

Push aside your mulch and plant a few seeds or purchase plants from a nursery. Add around your vegetable garden or cutting garden to add form and beauty. Use to entice hummingbirds and butterflies. Whether you use old heirloom varieties or new hybrids, nasturtiums will be stunning.

Aw, but the flowering plants tucked here and there in a cottage garden, as Monet did in his home in Giverny, France, are the draw for me. They seem capable of snuggling around the perennials and ornaments as if their one mission is to please.

NOTE: Locally, I've seen nasturtium plant sets for sale at Prairie County Gardens, Galva, and Sunnyfield Nursery, rural Kewanee. The largest selection of some amazing varieties, colors, and habits was at the Red Barn Nursery, rural Sheffield, Illinois.