Whirlybird Nasturtium is a compact, mounding annual that brings vibrant color and pollinator magic to any sunny garden from June through November. This cultivar grows just 12 inches tall and wide, making it perfect for containers, borders, and small spaces where you want impact without sprawl. Blooms appear reliably within 70-84 days from seed, and the flowers are genuinely irresistible to bees and other pollinators. Deer won't touch it, and it thrives on neglect once established, the less fussing, the more flowers you'll get.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
12in H x 12in W
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High
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What sets Whirlybird apart is its refusal to be coddled. Direct sow it after your last frost and it takes off with minimal input, actually blooming more profusely when you resist the urge to fertilize. The compact, bushy habit means you get a full, floriferous plant without pinching or training, and its proven pollinator appeal makes it as much for wildlife as for your own garden pleasure. Frost tender but reliable, it's the summer-to-fall bloomer that thrives on full sun and moderate water, asking only that you let it do its thing.
Whirlybird Nasturtium is grown primarily as an ornamental flower, celebrated for its ability to fill garden beds, containers, and borders with continuous summer and fall color. The blooms are beloved by gardeners who want to support pollinators without fussy maintenance, and the plant's deer resistance makes it a reliable choice in landscapes where browsing pressure is a concern.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow 2 seeds in individual 4-inch pots of well-draining seed starting mix 3 weeks before your last expected frost date, covering seeds 1 inch deep. Provide a strong light source and keep pots at 65°F. Once seedlings have several sets of leaves, pinch out the weaker seedling and keep the strongest. Harden off gradually when night temperatures reliably reach 50°F or above.
Transplant seedlings into the garden 10 inches apart once night temperatures are consistently above 50°F and seedlings have been gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions. Plant in full sun.
Direct sow seeds after your last frost date, planting them 1/2 inch deep and 8 inches apart. Seeds will sprout in 7-14 days at temperatures around 50°F. Direct sowing is recommended and often produces vigorous plants.
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