Purple Emperor Trailing Nasturtium is a frost-tender annual climber that thrives in warm climates, hardy in zones 9-11. This cultivar of Tropaeolum majus produces trailing vines adorned with deep purple flowers that create a striking visual display from midsummer through frost. The plant loves full sun to partial shade and moderate water, making it accessible for gardeners seeking a dramatic, easy-care flowering vine. Direct sowing after the last frost is the recommended approach, with seeds germinating quickly in warm soil.
Partial Sun
Moderate
9-11
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Deep purple blooms cascade from trailing vines that handle both full sun and partial shade with equal grace. The plant germinates reliably between 65-75°F when sown directly into the garden one to two weeks after your last frost date, skipping the finicky indoor starting that troubles many gardeners. In mild climates, you can even sow in fall for winter blooms, extending the season in a way most annuals cannot.
Purple Emperor Trailing Nasturtium is grown as an ornamental flowering vine, valued for its cascading purple blooms in garden beds, containers, and along trellises or pathways. The trailing habit makes it particularly suited to hanging baskets and elevated planters where the flowers can spill freely.
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Starting indoors is not recommended due to the plant's sensitive roots that resent transplant disturbance. If you do choose to start indoors, sow 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date in biodegradable pots that can go directly into the ground, minimizing root disturbance.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the risk of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 55-65°F. If started indoors in biodegradable pots, plant the entire pot directly into prepared garden soil.
Direct sowing is the recommended method. Sow seeds outside 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date when soil has warmed. In mild climates, you can sow in fall for winter blooms.
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