Glorious Gleam Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Jewel-hued edible flowers adorn 3'-long trailing vines.
In the 18th Century, during his massive botanical naming project, Carl Linnaeus learned that his daughter, Elizabeth, saw flashing when she looked at nasturtium flowers in the evening. Scientists of the day theorized about electricity, phosphorescence, and the paranormal. Linnaeus was content to dub it "The Elizabeth Linnaeus Phenomenon" and leave it at that. You, too, can observe it: it's an optical illusion caused by the interaction of green and orange in the pale light of dusk.
$4.79
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Pack (25 seeds) | $4.79 | In Stock |
Price as selected:
Direct sow after danger of frost has passed, spacing them closer together for a ground cover, or further apart if planting them among other annuals. Can also be sown in containers at indicated spacing. Plants are low lying, but spread wide, covering about 2 feet. All parts of the plant are edible and peppery: leaves, flowers and immature seeds. Use flowers immediately after harvest.
| Days to Germination | 5-14 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 60 days |
| Planting Depth | 1" |
| Spacing in Row | 8" |
| Spacing Between Rows | 8" |
| Height at Maturity | 18" |
| Width at Maturity | 36" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun |
Artwork by Suzanne Fortin. In order to highlight the way these nasturtiums capture and reflect light and color, artist Suzanne Fortin used hand-cut glass mosaic pieces to create a tile that glows, shines, and dims with the natural light of the morning, afternoon, and evening.