Spend £50 on plants and get 20% off | Code SPRING20

Spend £100 on plants and get 25% off | Code SPRING25

Spend £200 on plants and get 30% off | Code SPRING30

Shop

Information & Help

My account

crocus
Wish-list My wheelbarrow
<I>Tropaeolum majus</i> 'Black Velvet' (Tom Thumb Series)
<I>Tropaeolum majus</i> 'Black Velvet' (Tom Thumb Series)

Tropaeolum majus 'Black Velvet' (Tom Thumb Series)

nasturtium

1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 5.0 5
(4)

This compact, non-trailing nasturtium has deep-red flowers that have a velvety texture and look almost black in low light. They appear in...

approx 30 seeds
£2.19
available to order from autumn 2024
1

Pot size guide

Delivery options

Seed Packets (only) £2.99

Plant description

This compact, non-trailing nasturtium has deep-red flowers that have a velvety texture and look almost black in low light. They appear in great profusion over a prolonged period and the best display is produced when they are grown in full sun with poor soil. The grey-green foliage provides a wonderful contrast to the intense flower colour. The leaves and flowers can both be eaten. The leaves have a peppery flavour that adds a little oomph to salads while the flowers make an attractive garnish. When planted in the kitchen garden they will help repel whitefly, while attracting blackflies away from the crops.

Eventual height & spread

Eventual height and spread

Flowering period

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Plant features

Soil

Humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost

Hardiness

Frost tender

How to care for Tropaeolum majus Black Velvet (Tom Thumb Series):

Soak the seeds overnight and then sow an early crop under glass in good seed compost, covering lightly. Maintain the temperature between 13-16°C and water when necessary. When large enough to handle, pot on or acclimatise slowly and plant outside after all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively sow directly outside in mid to late spring. These plants flower best in poor soil, so take care not to over-fertilise. Dead-heading regularly will also encourage an even better display.

Warning

Humans: Skin allergen

GOES WELL WITH

How to use companion plants

Companion planting is a method of growing different plants adjacent to one another for the benefit of one or both of the companions. Some plants are thought to confuse or act as a decoy to potential pests, while a few provide food for the pest's natural

Read full article

Sow colourful annuals

Fast-maturing annuals, such as calendula, candytuft, clarkia, cosmos, godetia and nasturtium, can still be sown now for a succession of colour throughout the summer months. If you live in a mild area, make three or four sowings spaced two weeks apart from

Read full article

Sow Annuals in Late Summer

Fast-maturing annuals, such as calendula, candytuft, clarkia, cosmos, godetia and nasturtium, can still be sown now for colour in late summer if you live in a mild area.

Read full article

Posh bedding

There is still plenty of time to raise hardier annuals from seeds sown now and these include cosmos, zinnias and marigolds. However it's often easier to opt for ready-grown plugs of these, as well as the more-tender begonias petunias, antirrhinums and ni

Read full article

Floral gastronomy

I used to be a bit sceptical about all this new-fangled fashion for eating flowers. All a bit Guardianista, I thought. Looks nice and all that, but what about the flavour? Well. Then I ate a rosemary flower. And found out about the flavour, and why people

Read full article

Sowing half hardy annuals

If you are wanting to have a go at growing seeds then the easiest of all are the annuals because they are programmed to germinate, flower and set seed within one year - therefore they pop up easily because there’s no time to waste. Most will provide necta

Read full article

Copyright © Crocus.co.uk Ltd 2024. All rights reserved.