Nasturtium Yeti Cream-White 10 seeds

Picture, if you will, a gentle rambler of a plant, not stiff nor formal, but delightfully inclined to wander where it pleases — spilling over a low stone wall or tumbling from a terracotta pot with all the grace of something quite unbothered by rules. This particular variety is rather special, mind you, for instead of the usual fiery oranges and reds, it bears the softest creamy white blooms, sometimes kissed with the faintest lemon or pale yellow at the throat.

The flowers themselves are single and spurred — that charming little tail at the back — perched among round, lily-pad-like leaves of fresh green, which set off the pale blossoms most elegantly.

It grows as a trailing vine, and quite a generous one at that, stretching out to a good length if given its head — two metres or more in a fine season — making it ideal for softening edges, climbing lightly, or draping about the garden in a most painterly fashion.

Now, what I’ve always admired about nasturtiums — and this ‘Yeti’ is no exception — is their agreeable temperament. They are not fussy creatures. Give them poorish soil and a sunny position, and they will reward you handsomely; fuss over them too much, and you’ll get leaves aplenty but fewer blooms.

And let us not forget — they are as useful as they are pretty. Every part is perfectly edible, with a pleasing peppery bite; the flowers, especially, make a most refined garnish for a summer salad or a jug of something chilled on the lawn.

In truth, Nasturtium ‘Yeti Cream White’ has a quiet sort of beauty — not loud, not showy — but rather the kind that reveals itself slowly, like good manners or a well-tended garden.