Nasturtium, ‘Alaska’

(Tropaeolum minus) When we used to grow production salad mix, we always had a special mix for restaurants that was a little more work to produce but was just so beautiful with its diversity of shapes, colors, textures, and flavors. One of the cornerstones of the mix were the leaves of this variety. The shape alone of nasturtium foliage adds so much unique texture both in the garden and salad bowl, but the swirling, speckled galaxy of variegation found on each leaf of ‘Alaska’ is truly something special: an overlay of 3 or more shades ranging from creamy white through deep green, each one with a unique distribution of patterning. Like all nasturtiums, it brings a peppery cress-like flavor to salad as well as a spectacular visual presentation to a plate. The flowers (also, of course, edible) range through yellows, oranges, salmon, and deep red. Alaska has a tidier, mounding, bushy habit than the trailing types. Popular with chefs and highly recommended!
60 days. UO

Packet: 25-30 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 2 weeks before your last frost.

Transplant out after last frost.

Direct sow 2 weeks before last frost.

Note: Very hardy and long blooming! 

PLANTING DEPTH:

1″ darkness aids in germination

SPACING:

12-18″

EMERGENCE:

7-10 days @ soil temp 60-65F.

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Average. Prefers well-drained, and evenly moist soil.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

A lovely container plant.

Edible leaves, flowers, and green seed pods. Spicy!

You may cut these as single flowers or trailing stems just as the buds are opening. Expect a vase life of one week.