Tropaeolum speciosum
flame nasturtium
T. speciosum is a slender herbaceous climber to 3m, with long fleshy rhizomes and rounded leaves composed of 5-7 obovate leaflets. Long-spurred, bright scarlet flowers 2cm in width are followed by indigo blue berries held in red sepals
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green | Blue Red | |
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Thrives in gardens with cool, moist summers. Plant in cool, leafy or humus-rich soil where roots are in the shade with the plant growing into the sun or partial shade, can be grown up evergreen hedges
Propagation
Propagate by seed or division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wall side borders
Pruning
In early spring, cut the dead growth down to ground level
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite and whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to virus diseases
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.