The Family Kitchen Gardener (1856)/Nasturtium
INDIAN CRESS, OR NASTURTIUM.
Tropǽolum màjus.—Capucine, Fr.—Kapuzinerblume, Ger.
The botanic name is derived from a Latin word signifying a warlike trophy. This idea might have originated with botanists from its shield-like leaves and its brilliant, golden, helmet-shaped flowers, pierced and stained with blood. It is a native of Peru and Chili, where there are many curious and fanciful varieties, though none so beautiful as the Common Nasturtium that has been cultivated for nearly three hundred years. Its gay colors enliven the gardens of the rich and the poor. The flowers and leaves have a sharp and warm taste, like Garden or Curled Cress; and are frequently used in salads. The seeds, when gathered young and green, on a dry day, and pickled in vinegar, form an excellent substitute for Capers, and indeed are preferable.
Culture.—It is properly treated as an annual plant, and sown for the benefit of its seed, flowers and foliage, as well as for ornament. Sow the seed thinly, in rows or patches, an inch deep, about the end of March or first of April. It is not particular in regard to either soil or situation; they will thrive almost any where, if the ground is rich. The plants will run from five to fifteen feet, and require stakes or trellis-work to climb upon. They are excellent for a blind, to cover any disagreeable object. There are several varieties of yellow, golden, or crimson color. The yellow stands the severity of the sun better than the crimson.