Nasturtiums are fabulous, but only grow fast when it’s hot. I’m waiting for global warming to hit a bit harder before I rely on nasturtiums in our climate, but if you grow your veg under a plastic canopy, nasturtiums will be splendid, and again, in traditional yellow, white, orange or red. I prefer the cultivated descendants of native helichrysum, or strawflowers. The native ones grow wild here, in their natural yellow, but have been bred into a multitude of colours for gardeners to enjoy. They love sun, need little rain, and spring up fast after the shortest shower, and bloom a month later. Helichrysum are my kind of flower. They also last for years as dried flowers, a delightful parchment colour, in small vases around the house or in bowls of potpourri.
