CULTIVATION A hardy annual with peppery-flavoured round leaves and trumpet-shaped, orange, yellow and red flowers.
It grows to a height of 15-30cm (6-12in) and prefers poor, well-drained soil and full sun. Sow seeds in spring, 15-20cm (6-8in) apart. Good companion plants in kitchen gardens as their roots discourage soil pests and the flowers attract aphid-eating hover flies. Harvest the leaves and flowers when they are large enough to eat. Nasturtium is a delightful garden, border and container plant.