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Annual BiennialBedding

Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

nasturtium 'Empress of India'

A bushy annual to around 30cm high, with rounded, dark blue-green leaves supported on central stems. Funnel-shaped scarlet flowers are produced over a long period from summer into early autumn

Synonyms
Tropaeolum 'Empress of India'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Blue
Summer Red Green Blue
Autumn Red Green Blue
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Tropaeolaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in poor, well-drained soil in full sun; if the soil is too rich foliage will be produced at the expense of flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • hanging basket
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases

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