Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’

DWARF PHOENIX NASTURTIUMS

Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’
DWARF PHOENIX NASTURTIUMS

Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’ is dwarf growing heritage Nasturtium with unusual serrated flowers.

Unusual DWARF heritage Nasturtium

‘Phoenix’ grows as a very compact, dense, dwarf mound – perfect for edges, small gardens, pots, instead of the rambling form we normally associate with Nasturtiums.
It has the normal coin shaped foliage, but in a very dense and rounded mound – only 30cm. high and wide.

Sweetly scented like Freesias

And again unusual – blooms have a sweet scent like the perfume of Freesias.
While the foliage also contributes peppery, spicy aromas.
So this is a very unusual Nasturtium indeed.

Unusual serrated flowers – like a flock of ragged butterflies

This wonderful heritage variety also has the most unusual flowers with heavily serrated petals.

Feathery blooms thickly cover petite mounds

So it looks as if a flock of feathery butterflies have settled all over petite mounds.

Subtle sunrise colours

Blooms come in subtle sunrise shades of peach, apricot, flame and mahogany, often with deeper throats.

Flowers & leaves are edible with a spicy flavour

Both flowers and leaves also have a delicious spicy flavour.

Dwarf & compact colour feature for small gardens & pots

Little Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’ is a petite, dwarf, pudding shaped little clump, not a large, trailer or climber.

Perfect for edges & paths

So it is perfect for small gardens or pots, as it does not sprawl about, climb or run.
And makes a perfect front edge for the flower garden or lining a path with its perfume and colour.

Grow it in the veggie garden or a hanging basket too

‘Phoenix’ Nasturtiums can be cheerfully grown in the veggie patch without hogging all the space.
They are also brilliant in a hanging basket outside the kitchen door where the colour of both flowers and foliage can really shine; and you can nibble on a leaf or sniff a flower whenever you wish.

Good for salad & vases

‘Phoenix’ is a prolific bloomer, so gardener/cooks can enjoy these cheery scented blooms all through spring summer and autumn – in the garden, in the vase, as well as in the kitchen.
Flower stems are long enough for short vases.

Deliciously edible

The flowers, leaves, plus the young seed pods, are all deliciously edible.
Adding a spicy, peppery flavour to salads and cooking, as well as vivid colour contrast.
So seed pods are sometimes knick-named “False Capers”, and you can certainly use them as you would Capers.
Plus the flowers make such a colourful, as well as edible, garnish for any dish.

Easy, low maintenance in poorer soils

Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’ grows in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Preferring soil on the poorer side rather than rich, otherwise it may grow lavish leaves and less flowers.

Water-wise plant

And once established ‘Phoenix’ plants require little water.
So it is a water-wise and drought resistant plant.
Easy and rewarding to grow, plus low maintenance once established in the garden, pot, or basket.

Quick & easy from seed – 10 weeks from seed to flower

Tropaeolum minus ‘Phoenix’  is quick and easy to germinate from seed, both sown directly in the garden as you would sow peas.
Or started in small pots indoors so you get a flying start before the frosts have disappeared.
From sowing seed to flower is approx. 10 weeks.

30cm. High in scented, delicious sunrise flowers x 25cm. Wide of equally delicious dark foliage.
Annual. Grows as a rounded mound with no runners.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners, kids & veggie plots

Seed can be sown at any time – directly into the garden as you would sow peas
OR
Sow in punnet / small pots indoors for quick and early results.

First soak the seeds overnight in a glass of warm (not boiling) water, and allow to stand overnight. Then sow next day.

Sow indoors for quick plants & early flowers: Sow the seeds into small pots filled with good quality seed raising mix. (Use tubes or small pots as Nasturtiums quickly develop long roots.
Then cover the seed with sieved mix to the same depth as the diameter of the seed.

Now moisten the sown punnet thoroughly by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the punnet in a well-lit, warm place such as a window sill (not in direct sunlight), or on a heat mat if you have one.
Nasturtium seeds love warmth to germinate rapidly.
Temperatures of 15-20°C. are optimum for rapid germination.

Continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear cover, or plastic bag, will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.

Seedlings begin to emerge in 10-12 days approx.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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