Tropaeolum tricolor

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three-coloured nasturtium

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three-coloured nasturtium RHS
three-coloured nasturtium RHS
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Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial
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A summer-dormant, tuberous, perennial climber to about 1.5m with small, light green, five- or seven-lobed leaves. The small, yellow flowers are surrounded by a showy purple-tipped, orange-red calyx with a long red or purple spur, in all about 3cm long. Flowering takes place from winter to early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Tropaeolaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Tropaeolum can be annuals or perennials, bushy, trailing or climbing by twining stems, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and showy funnel-shaped flowers with five long-clawed petals and often a spur
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Chile

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in good light with shade from hot sun. Plant tubers in a deep container of peat-free, loam-based compost with added fine grit, starting into growth in autumn

Propagation

Propagate by separating tubers when dormant in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required - allow to die down naturally in midsummer

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free