Sunday, October 17, 2010

N is for Nasturtium

Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday round 7 has reached N. Click on banner or link to see what fellow bloggers have been inspired to do.

Nasturtiums have long been favorites of mine, at least until invaded by aphids. Way back when my children were young and begging for a snack, I would slather a piece of bread with butter for them to take to the backyard; there they would harvest nasturtium leaves (pesticide and aphid free) to make a sandwich - a tasty treat in which I often would join them.
Then the aphids found the "nasty urchins" (as my father used to call them).

This beauty is in a neighbor's yard, not mine
Please click on this picture for a full view of it.

Now that I have moved to Washington State, I can again have nasturtiums in my garden.

Kristin planted these as a border to my walk.
The blossoms are lovely, but so are the variegated leaves.


Some of my language-loving father's other favorite flowers included Christmas anthems. And Spitunias. I wish I could remember more of them!

21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, I love your Nasturtiums! And how perfect for the N Day! Your photos are delightful! Didn't realize you live in Washington state! A great place, isn't it? Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Roger Owen Green said...

These are LOVELY indeed!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Gigi Ann said...

They are a lovely flower, and you say you can eat them too? Well I declare, I never knew that. Or am I reading something that isn't there?

Martha said...

A flower sandwich! How fun!!!

PS. I like your little black kitten there. He's playful.

??? said...

Beautiful flowers. I have nasturtiums on my balcony every year - I eat the leaves, too, and feed them and the flowers to my bearded dragon (he loves red flowers). When the aphids come, my poison arrow frogs get those, so I don't really mind them. Plus I get ladybugs and other interesting insects who prey on them :)

Nanka said...

Beautiful colors and flowers!!

Wanda said...

The Nasturtiums are so lovely. The leaves are do delicate with each vein showing. Just a delightful post for N.

photowannabe said...

Your Father sounds like mine did too. Love the silly names he gave the flowers.
My Grandpa used to call Eucaliptus trees, Ukeie-lipstick trees.
I hadn't realized you moved to Washington State either. Are you near your family now?

Kay L. Davies said...

Your father and my father were birds of a feather.
The first time I found out nasturtiums were edible was in Washington State. I don't remember the name of the restaurant. I don't even remember if it was in Seattle or Bellingham, but I do know I ate nasturtiums in a salad. But I didn't know that about the leaves!!

Kay, Alberta

Carver said...

I love nasturtiums. What a great idea for the letter N. I pick the flowers to put in salads but didn't realize the leaves were edible too. I love the way the flowers taste (sort of peppery).

Mom vs. the boys said...

I've never heard of them, sounds like a foreign language to me! very pretty though!

Tumblewords: said...

I've always like nasturtiums and have eaten a few, as well. Still laughing about the spitunias and Christmas anthems. Good N post!

Barbara said...

Lovely photos - I do like nasturtiums - they never lasted long in our garden as our rabbit used to eat them! Loved the idea of Christmas Anthems :O)

MaR said...

My neighbors have some beautiful Nasturtiums, never knew the name, thanks for the info!!

My ABC

Amy said...

The nasturtiums are indeed lovely - I miss growing them as it's way too hot and dry here. Thanks for sharing and also for visiting and commenting on my "n" offering!

NanU said...

spitunias! that's a good one.
Nice N post, Ms Smith.

Joy said...

There is something joyful about Nasturtiums, and so easy to grow. They are tumbling all over the walls here at the moment.

JayLeigh said...

I love nasturtiums!! My MIL introduced them to me, and I like to plant some every year. That is so neat that you made sandwiches from them! I'll have to do that with my children. That sounds fun. :-)

EG CameraGirl said...

The nasturtiums are gorgeous! I usually plant them every year but didn't this summer. Hmmm. I need to plant some next June!

Cheryl said...

Beautiful photos of a flower with so many uses. Great choice for N day.

Maggie May said...

Beautiful Nasturtiums.
You can eat them too........ on salads.
Maggie X

Nuts in May