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Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden Lower Garden

  • Upper Garden
  • Lower Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

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    A sprawling annual herb, nasturtiums have long been a charming kitchen garden plant. Their flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible, and add a peppery bite to salads.

    Latin Name

    Tropaeolum majus


    Family

    Tropaeolaceae


    Also Known As

    Indian Cress , Monks Cress


    Type of Plant

    Annuals Annuals
    Herbs Herbs

    Bloom Season

    May - June


    Seasons

    Fall Fall
    Spring Spring

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 2'
    Max spread Max Spread: 3'

    Uses

  • Annual
  • Edible
  • Flower Border
  • Herb

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies

    Colors


    Native Range

    South and Central America


    History

    The Spanish brought nasturtiums to Europe from South America and they have been cultivated as a garden plant ever since. Minton Collins of Virginia offered nasturtium seeds for sale in the Virginia Gazette in 1793.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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