Nasturtium officinale
common watercress (syn Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum)
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- Standard £5.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Depth of water: 0-7cm (0-3in)
- Rate of growth: fast
- Flowering period: May to June
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Watercress, akin to kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, boasts a peppery flavour and thrives in gently flowing water, forming lush mats of nutritious foliage. Ideal for moist, sunlit spots, it can also be cultivated in water-filled containers to prolong its growing season. This fast-growing aquatic perennial forms dense mats of both floating and submerged stems that creates habitat for shallow water organisms. Its oval, wavy-edged leaves, rich in dark green hues, make Nasturtium officinale a popular choice for salads, complemented by delicate white flowers that bloom from late spring to midsummer.
If using as a boggy/marginal aquatic, plant out in reliably moist or boggy soil, or pot up into a pond basket and place at the margins of a pond at a depth of 0-7cm (0-3"). Watercress prefers reliably wet soil so dot allow to dry out. Harvest/prune during the growing season once established. Choose our 9cm pot range for planting above the waterline, or our aquatic pot range for at below the water's surface.