Variety field guide
What to expect from Whirlybird Mix Nasturtium
Whirlybird Mix Garden nasturtium seeds produce mixed bloom on 7–12 in mounding plants. Annual growth and Summer/Fall bloom make it useful for containers, edging, edible flowers and leaves, color, and seed saving.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Whirlybird Mix Garden nasturtium seeds produce mixed bloom on 7–12 in mounding plants. Annual growth and Summer/Fall bloom make it useful for containers, edging, edible flowers and leaves, color, and seed saving.
About Whirlybird Mix
Whirlybird Mix is an annual garden nasturtium with mixed color, 7–12 in mature height or spread, and a mounding habit. Harvest form or size: Flower or head form characteristic of Whirlybird Mix; mature plant 7–12 in. Botanically it is Tropaeolum majus var. majus. Maturity or first bloom: 60-69 Days; germination: 7-14 Days at 60–75 °F. Best for containers, edging, edible flowers and leaves, color, and seed saving. Peppery leaves and flowers; use only correctly identified, unsprayed plant parts.
History and provenance
Garden nasturtiums descend from South American Tropaeolum species and became valued for ornamental color as well as edible leaves and flowers. Compact strains differ from trailing forms. The named selection is a garden cultivar, while food use is limited to correctly identified, unsprayed plant parts and is not extended to unrelated ornamental sweet peas. A complete public breeder or release record for the named Whirlybird Mix strain has not been located. The cultivar name is retained, but no person, community, date, or place of origin is assigned without reliable documentation. The Whirlybird variety boasts a striking array of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to soft yellows and creams, creating a kaleidoscope of beauty that attracts pollinators. The lush, rounded leaves provide a lush backdrop to the vivid flowers, ensuring a continuous display throughout the growing season. Enjoy the dual-purpose beauty and flavor of Whirlybird nasturtiums in your garden today. Nasturtium Seeds - Whirlybird, the vibrant and playful blooms, emerge from the fertile soils of South America, particularly thriving in the regions of Peru and Ecuador.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Tropaeolum majus var. majus |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 60-69 Days |
| Germination | 7-14 Days at 60–75 °F |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Plant height / spread | 7–12 in |
| Growth habit | Mounding |
| Spacing | 10 in between plants; 18 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Whirlybird Mix from seed
How to grow Whirlybird Mix Garden nasturtium
Botanical identity: Tropaeolum majus var. majus. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 60–75 °F. Expected emergence: 7-14 Days. Use clean seed-starting conditions, the listed depth and temperature, and steady moisture without saturation.
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 10 in apart with 18 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: No-Support.
Garden performance and care
For a longer display of Whirlybird Mix, remove spent blooms unless seed is being saved. Give the plant its listed spacing, cut flowers with clean tools, and leave selected heads to mature fully for seed. Expected emergence is 7-14 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 60-69 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Whirlybird Mix is suited to containers, edging, edible flowers and leaves, color, and seed saving. Its mixed flowers and 7–12 in stature help determine whether it belongs in a border, cutting row, container, meadow edge, or restoration-style planting. Peppery leaves and flowers; use only correctly identified, unsprayed plant parts.
Saving seed
Choose several healthy, true-to-type plants rather than saving from one unusually early or large individual. Allow seed structures to mature fully beyond the ornamental stage, harvest in dry weather, and finish drying under cover. Clean out chaff and damaged seed, keep the lot labeled through every step, record isolation and selection, and store fully dry seed in a cool, dark, low-humidity place. Confirm the species pollination system before promising varietal purity.
Common problems
Common concerns: damping-off from saturated media; poor emergence from wrong temperature or depth; leggy seedlings from weak light; crowding and weak airflow; lodging in wind or rain; feeding damage from slugs, caterpillars, beetles, or mammals; foliar disease under prolonged leaf wetness. Management: use clean media, the sowing depth and temperature, strong light, appropriate thinning, and morning irrigation at soil level. Match support to plant height before wind becomes a problem. Inspect regularly and use the least disruptive control appropriate to the pest, plant, and pollinator setting. Remove diseased debris and rotate annual flower beds where recurring disease is severe.
Frequently asked questions
When is Whirlybird Mix ready?
60-69 Days from sowing to the primary bloom or market stage used for the listed maturity range
How long does germination take?
Expect 7-14 Days near 60–75 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 7–12 in with a mounding habit. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container?
Well suited to containers when drainage, spacing, light, and moisture are maintained
How is it used?
Primary role: Containers, edging, edible flowers and leaves, color, and seed saving. Peppery leaves and flowers; use only correctly identified, unsprayed plant parts.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:25 seeds
