Whirlybird Gold Nasturtium is a compact heirloom that floods the garden with golden yellow, semi-double blooms held proudly upright on stocky 12-inch plants. This cultivar of Tropaeolum majus reaches maturity in 35 to 55 days and thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 6 through 11, making it a sun-loving annual that rewards quick growers with weeks of edible flowers and peppery leaves. Both the blooms and foliage taste deliciously spicy, bringing a genuine zing to fresh salads and plates, while the compact growth habit and prolific flowering make it equally at home in containers, garden borders, or bedding schemes.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Golden yellow, semi-double flowers open upward facing on plants just 12 inches tall, creating a tidy mound that works beautifully in tight spaces. The real draw lies in what hoverflies see in this plant: they flock to it to feed, then devour aphids by the dozens, giving you pest control without lifting a finger. Every bloom and leaf is edible with a genuinely spicy kick, turning a simple salad into something memorable.
The edible flowers and leaves make this variety a chef's favorite for garnishing and adding color to fresh salads. The blooms bring both visual appeal and a peppery bite to plates, while the foliage contributes that same spicy zing to leafy greens. Beyond the kitchen, gardeners grow Whirlybird Gold specifically to attract beneficial insects; hoverflies are drawn to the nectar and then stay to hunt aphids, making this cultivar a living form of pest management.
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Start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost in soil warmed to 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week before transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 8 inches apart in full sun. Handle gently to avoid disturbing roots.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil warms to 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow at the appropriate depth and thin seedlings to 8 inches apart once they develop true leaves.
Harvest edible flowers and leaves as needed once the plant reaches productive maturity, typically 35 to 55 days after sowing. Pick blooms when fully open and colorful; they taste best when fresh. Pinch or cut individual leaves from the plant throughout the growing season, taking no more than a third of the foliage at once to keep the plant healthy and flowering.
No pruning is typically necessary; the compact growth habit naturally keeps plants tidy and full. Removing spent flowers extends bloom time and encourages continuous flowering throughout the season.
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