Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are vibrant, easy-to-grow annuals widely cherished in South African gardens for their cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers and lily-pad-like leaves. Both the leaves and flowers are entirely edible, offering a distinctive peppery, slightly mustardy flavour that adds a delightful zing to culinary creations. They are a popular choice for brightening up salads, serving as edible garnishes, or even being blended into unique pestos. The unripe seed pods can also be pickled to create a caper-like condiment. Beyond their culinary appeal, nasturtiums are excellent companion plants, often used as a trap crop to lure aphids away from more valuable vegetables, and their vigorous growth can provide attractive ground cover or cascade beautifully from hanging baskets.