I'm an amateur gardener - this lesser-known plant should be a staple in your garden
The low-maintenance plant has pretty flowers that bloom from June through to October. Planted in a sunny spot on my balcony, the plant is thriving despite the fact I've largely neglected it throughout the winter.
I love gardening but I will be the first to admit I'm not a very good gardener.
Gardening on a tiny south-facing balcony has very much been trial and error with some plants thriving and others dying in a matter of weeks.
Over the years, I have successfully grown tomatoes, potatoes, marigolds, beetroot, sunflowers, chillis and strawberries.
This year, I've decided to take a step back from growing crops and have concentrated largely on growing sun-loving flowers like marigolds and asters.
One plant that has taken me completely by surprise this year is the humble nasturtium - and now I'm convinced everyone should grow the pretty plant.
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Last year, I watered a few seeds into some pots, and not expecting much, left them to do their own thing, just watering them each evening - when I remembered.
The plants quickly shot up, producing yellow, pink and crimson flowers as they bloomed.
Nasturtiums, as I've come to learn, have a very long flowering period, staying in bloom through the summer all the way into autumn.
One of my plants has had a surprising resurgence this year and is already in bloom with several yellow-orange flowers with red markings.
The variety I'm growing is the Tropaeolum minus, 'Ladybird' which flowers from May to October and will produce more seeds for next year from September to November.
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Unlike other plants and crops I've grown, the nasturtiums have required very little maintenance except for regular watering and deadheading once the flowers fade.
The key to growing happy nasturtiums is ensuring they have plenty of access to sunlight for at least half of the day. Being on a south-facing balcony, my nasturtiums get full sun for most of the day.
Free-draining, poor soil is also beneficial for lots of flowers.
What's more, the plant's flowers, leaves and seeds are edible with the leaves adding the most delicious peppery bite to my summer salads.
There are also climbing and trailing varieties which can be used to grow up arches, walls and fences.
If you're looking for a pretty summer-flowering plant to add to your borders that's low maintenance and can be used in summer salads, I'd highly recommend sowing a few nasturtiums.