Tropaeolum majus 'Empress of India'
Great Indian cress
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The round bluish leaves of this plant are a beautiful foil for the lustrous, velvety, red-orange of the flowers. Each leaf has a whitish centre spot at the point where the leaf is attached and faint white lines radiate out from this point. Each open throated flower has golden tints within, so there is attractive textural detail as well. It flowers all summer and goes on into autumn. The plant reaches around 30cm (1ft) height with 45cm (18in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Red
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bedding plant, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin allergen
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
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