‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ nasturtium is a distinctive and popular annual, known for its charm. It offers both ornamental beauty and culinary versatility, appealing to gardeners interested in edible flowers and unique foliage. Its compact growth and striking appearance make it a favorite for adding visual interest.
Unique Characteristics of Tip Top Alaska Salmon Nasturtium
Its flowers display a soft salmon color, ranging from apricot to a deeper salmon-pink, providing a gentle contrast. These funnel-shaped blossoms are held above the foliage. Unlike many vining nasturtiums, ‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ maintains a compact, bushy growth, typically reaching about 8 inches in height and 8-12 inches in width, making it suitable for smaller spaces.
A distinguishing feature is its variegated foliage. The rounded, parasol-like leaves are mottled with creamy white or light green, creating a striking visual effect that resembles snow-dusted greenery. This variegation adds significant ornamental appeal, ensuring the plant remains attractive even when not in bloom. The combination of its soft-colored flowers and unique leaves contributes to its popularity for container plantings, edging, and small garden designs.
Planting and Growing Care
Site Selection and Soil
‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ nasturtiums flourish in full sun, though they can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates where afternoon shade can be beneficial. These plants prefer poor to average, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Cultivating them in overly rich or fertile soil can lead to abundant foliage at the expense of flower production. Avoid excessive soil amendments.
Light Requirements
For optimal flowering, ‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ nasturtiums need full sun exposure, ideally six to eight hours daily. While they can endure light shade, particularly in areas with intense summer heat, reduced sunlight may result in fewer blooms. Consistent light ensures vigorous development of both their unique variegated leaves and signature salmon-colored flowers.
Watering
Nasturtiums thrive with consistent moisture but are sensitive to waterlogging, requiring well-drained conditions. Once established, ‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ nasturtiums become drought-tolerant. Moderate watering is generally sufficient, allowing the soil to dry slightly between applications to prevent root issues. Proper hydration can also moderate the peppery taste of edible leaves and flowers.
Fertilization
Fertilization should be minimal or avoided entirely. Over-fertilizing, particularly with nitrogen-rich products, promotes excessive leafy growth at the expense of flower production. Its preference for poor to average soil means it typically finds sufficient nutrients without additional feeding. If soil nutrients are a concern, a very light application of a balanced fertilizer can be considered, but less is generally more for abundant blooms.
Pruning and Deadheading
Pruning helps maintain their compact shape and encourages bushier growth. Pinching back the growing tips can promote a more branched and dense plant structure. Deadheading, which involves removing spent flowers, is effective to encourage more blooms throughout the season. This prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production, redirecting it towards continuous flowering. If plants become leggy or show signs of decline during summer, a light cutback can stimulate new growth.
Harvesting and Uses
The vibrant salmon-colored flowers and variegated leaves are edible, possessing a unique peppery, slightly citrusy flavor. These can be freshly picked and added to salads, used as colorful garnishes, or incorporated into pestos for a spicy kick. The young, unripe seed pods can also be harvested and pickled, often referred to as “false capers,” providing a similar tangy taste.
This nasturtium variety can also function as a ground cover in small areas, adding continuous color and texture. Nasturtiums are valuable companion plants in vegetable gardens, acting as a “trap crop” for pests like aphids, diverting them from more susceptible vegetables.
Common Pests and Problems
‘Tip Top Alaska Salmon’ nasturtiums are generally robust, but they can encounter a few common garden issues. Aphids are a frequent pest that can congregate on the undersides of leaves and stems. While nasturtiums can serve as a trap crop for these pests, a strong stream of water can effectively dislodge and reduce aphid populations. Hand-picking can also remove larger infestations or specific pests like caterpillars.
Other potential issues include flea beetles, slugs, and glasshouse whiteflies. Overwatering can lead to problems such as root rot or fungal diseases like bacterial leaf spot, manifesting as brown or black spots on leaves. Ensuring proper drainage and avoiding excessive watering helps prevent these moisture-related problems.