Orchid Cream Nasturtium

Orchid Cream Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus 'Orchid Cream')

Orchid Cream Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus 'Orchid Cream') is a charming annual celebrated for its creamy-yellow flowers flushed with raspberry at the throat and its soft, rounded foliage. This edible ornamental is a favorite among cottage gardeners, pollinator enthusiasts, and chefs alike for its beauty, versatility, and usefulness in both garden beds and salads.

Distinctive Features

'Orchid Cream' is prized for its uniquely bicolored flowers - pale buttercream petals dramatically accented with a central raspberry blotch. The blooms rise above circular, blue-green foliage that spreads outward or cascades gracefully from containers. Both leaves and flowers are edible and add a peppery bite to dishes. It grows quickly from seed and blooms continuously through summer into fall.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil; avoid excessive nitrogen
• Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in all zones

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Eye-catching blooms and trailing form make it a natural standout in beds or containers
• Edible Landscapes: Use in ornamental kitchen gardens for beauty and culinary use
• Container Gardening: Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and patio pots
• Groundcover: Sprawling habit covers bare soil quickly
• Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees and hummingbirds

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water regularly but avoid soggy soil
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent reseeding
• Fertilizing: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; they promote foliage over flowers
• Pest Resistance: Generally pest-free; may attract aphids, which can be rinsed off
• Reseeding: Will readily self-sow in mild climates if allowed

Why Choose Orchid Cream Nasturtium?

• Unique Blooms: Cream and raspberry flowers offer rare coloration
• Edible Beauty: Leaves and blooms bring form and flavor to dishes
• Fast Growth: Quick to establish and cover space with color
• Versatile Use: Grows in containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds
• Focal Point: Distinctive color and trailing habit make it a conversation piece

Tropaeolum majus 'Orchid Cream' brings together edible charm, pollinator appeal, and garden grace, making it a memorable focal point in both ornamental and functional planting schemes.