Nasturtium Black Velvet Seeds – 400 Count – Deep Red Blooms – Outdoor

Overview

Introduce a touch of dramatic elegance to your garden with our premium nasturtium black velvet seeds. These exceptional seeds promise to transform your outdoor space with their unique, deep mahogany-brown flowers, often described as ‘black velvet’ for their rich, velvety appearance. Originating from the United States, these mounding nasturtiums (scientifically known as Tropaeolum nanum ‘Tom Thumb Black Velvet’) are celebrated for their striking two-inch blooms that truly shine against a backdrop of vibrant green foliage. Perfect for both seasoned gardeners and beginners, growing these flowers from seeds is a rewarding experience, yielding a spectacular display that captures attention and admiration.

The ‘Tom Thumb Black Velvet’ variety is a compact grower, reaching a modest height of 12-16 inches, making it an ideal choice for front borders, small garden beds, or container plantings. Whether you’re aiming to create a bold focal point or add a sophisticated touch to your existing arrangements, these nasturtium seeds offer versatility and visual appeal. Beyond their beauty, nasturtiums are known for their edible leaves and flowers, adding a peppery kick to salads and garnishes. Embrace the ease of cultivation and the stunning results these unique seeds provide.

Key Benefits

Planting black velvet nasturtium seeds offers a multitude of benefits for both your garden and your culinary adventures. These plants are not only beautiful but also remarkably easy to care for, making them a favorite among gardeners:

• Dramatic Floral Display: Enjoy spectacular 2-inch blooms in a deep, rich mahogany-brown color, providing a unique and sophisticated aesthetic rarely found in other flowers. The velvety texture of the petals adds to their allure.
• Compact Growth Habit: With a mature height of only 12-16 inches, these mounding nasturtiums are perfect for small spaces, container gardening, window boxes, and as an attractive border plant, offering maximum impact with minimal footprint.
• Easy to Grow from Seed: These nasturtium black velvet seeds are known for their high germination rates and robust growth, making them an excellent choice for beginner gardeners looking for a rewarding and straightforward planting experience.
• Edible Flowers & Leaves: Both the vibrant flowers and the distinctively shaped leaves are edible, offering a peppery, slightly spicy flavor. They make an excellent addition to salads, sandwiches, or as an elegant garnish, providing both beauty and flavor.
• Attracts Pollinators: The striking blooms are a magnet for beneficial pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant garden ecosystem.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, nasturtium black velvet seeds require minimal care, thriving in a variety of conditions and proving to be quite drought-tolerant, making them a resilient choice for busy gardeners.
• Pest Deterrent: Nasturtiums are often used as a companion plant to deter certain garden pests, acting as a trap crop for aphids, thereby protecting more vulnerable plants.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To successfully grow your nasturtium black velvet seeds into thriving plants, understanding their basic care requirements is key. These resilient annuals are relatively low-maintenance, but providing optimal conditions will ensure the most abundant and vibrant blooms. Nasturtiums prefer full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, a spot with some afternoon shade can prevent the foliage from scorching and help prolong the blooming period. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering.

When it comes to watering, nasturtiums prefer consistently moist soil, especially during dry spells, but they are quite tolerant of drier conditions once established. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. The soil should be well-draining; sandy or loamy soils are ideal. Excessive nitrogen in the soil can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers, so a less fertile soil is often preferred. These plants generally thrive in USDA zones 3-10 as annuals, but can be grown year-round in frost-free regions. They are sensitive to frost, so plant them after all danger of frost has passed in your area.

Fertilization is usually not necessary for black velvet nasturtium, especially if planted in moderately fertile soil. If your soil is very poor, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at half strength can be applied once during the growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms and prevent the plant from self-seeding too profusely. While generally robust, keep an eye out for aphids, which can sometimes be attracted to nasturtiums; a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap can help manage them. Learning how to grow nasturtium is simple and rewarding, yielding beautiful results with minimal effort.

Size & Details

This package contains 400 nasturtium black velvet seeds, providing an ample supply for a vibrant garden display. These seeds will grow into compact, mounding plants that typically reach a height of 12 to 16 inches (30-40 cm) and spread approximately 12-18 inches wide. The mature plants produce striking 2-inch (5 cm) mahogany-brown flowers, creating a dramatic visual impact. The growth rate is relatively fast, with plants usually blooming within 8-10 weeks after sowing. They are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle within one growing season, but they often self-seed readily for future displays.

The seeds are provided in a protective packet, ensuring their viability for planting. Each seed is ready to be sown directly into your garden beds or containers. The compact size of the ‘Tom Thumb Black Velvet’ variety makes it exceptionally versatile, fitting seamlessly into various garden designs from cottage gardens to modern urban balconies. Expect a continuous flush of blooms from late spring through to the first frost, offering extended enjoyment of their unique beauty. For those wondering how to grow nasturtium, these seeds are a perfect starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this nasturtium plant get? A: The black velvet nasturtium is a compact, mounding variety that typically grows to a height of 12 to 16 inches (30-40 cm) and spreads about 12-18 inches wide. Its manageable size makes it ideal for various planting locations.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While primarily grown outdoors as an annual, nasturtium black velvet seeds can be started indoors before the last frost. Once established, they thrive outdoors in garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: These nasturtiums perform best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, a little afternoon shade can be beneficial to protect the foliage and prolong blooming.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, nasturtiums are known for being very easy to grow and maintain, making them an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. They are quite drought-tolerant once established and don’t require much fertilization.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive 400 nasturtium black velvet seeds in a protective seed packet, ready for planting. These are seeds, not live plants, ensuring easy storage until you are ready to sow.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: You can expect your nasturtiums to begin blooming approximately 8-10 weeks after sowing the seeds. They will continue to produce flowers until the first hard frost of the season.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these seeds? A: The best time to plant tropaeolum nanum seeds is in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed in your area. You can also start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost to get a head start.
• Q: Can I use the flowers and leaves in cooking? A: Absolutely! Both the flowers and leaves of the nasturtium are edible and have a peppery, slightly spicy flavor. They are wonderful in salads, as garnishes, or infused in vinegar.
• Q: What kind of soil does this nasturtium prefer? A: Nasturtiums prefer well-draining soil that is not overly rich in nutrients. Sandy or loamy soil is ideal. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Nasturtiums are annuals in most climates, meaning they will not survive winter frosts. In frost-free zones (typically USDA Zone 9 and warmer), they may grow as short-lived perennials or self-seed readily. For optimal growth, learn how to grow nasturtium in your specific climate.