What on earth is going on?
Now, before you get all excited about the prospects of me suggesting that there is a new hybrid Nasturtium that can brave the winter cold and add colour to the frost pockets of in garden, I’m afraid there isn’t. There are hardy varieties such as Tropaeolum speciosum which will survive winter (dying back to underground tubers during the colder months), but nothing that will make a show at this time of year. Any hardy annual variety will be reduced to a slimy mess after the first frost in October. That is the usual story. However, this year something very strange has happening in my backgarden in Dawlish, South Devon.
First the very first time in my life, I am witnessing the continued growth of bright green, not at all frost burnt, flowering Nasturtiums – and it’s late January! Not only are they doing well, but so are their children. Seedlings from last summer are now on their way to becoming mature plants. I have never seen the like of it!
Maybe a hard frost is just around the corner, but for now, I’m looking forward to the prospects of seeing my Nasturtiums into summer. I have no idea what they will do. Will their stems become woody? Will they ‘time-out’ and give up? I’ll keep you informed.
On a closing note: My Wax Begonias, Pelargoniums and the odd cosmos self-seeded seedling are also quite happy in my frost free borders!
OK – I knew it wouldn’t last. Lastnight was the coldest night yet this winter and my lovely Nasturtiums don’t look 100% this morning. Most have wilting leaves – a sure sign of frost damage. However, there are other younger plants that weren’t at all affected by the -1C conditions. Tonight is set to be even colder, so we’ll have to wait and see!