Tropaeolum tricolor
three-coloured nasturtium
T. tricolor is 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
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Red Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Purple Red Yellow | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Tropaeolaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.