Nasturtium Tip Top Alaska Mixture

Nasturtium Tip Top Alaska Mixture Seeds

(Tropaeolum minus — Alaska Series — Variegated Foliage Nasturtium — RHS AGM)

The Alaska series of Tropaeolum minus occupies a unique position in the nasturtium world — it is the only compact dwarf nasturtium series that combines the mounding, non-trailing habit of the Tip Top group with the distinctive white-marbled variegated foliage that had previously been the exclusive territory of the large climbing Jewel of Africa. Alaska Hybrids are described as dwarf-bushy, up to 12 inches tall, with white-spotted leaves — the defining characteristic that sets the series apart from all other compact nasturtiums which carry plain green foliage.

Alaska Mix produces 2-inch edible flowers in yellow, crimson, orange, salmon, cherry, with variegated foliage — the complete nasturtium color palette expressed over the white-marbled Alaska foliage.  Alaska Mixture delivers the full chromatic range of the species in a single planting, with every color combination — yellow over cream-marbled leaf, crimson over white-mottled leaf, orange over variegated green — providing its own distinct visual character. The variance between individual plants within the mix creates a naturalistic, spontaneous display where no two plants are exactly alike.

Tropaeolum minus ‘Tip Top Alaska mix’ is a compact, bushy annual forming a small mound of rounded, parasol-like, variegated leaves — blooming from winter through spring in mild winter areas with a profusion of long-stalked, funnel-shaped. The blossoms float above the foliage and make a fantastic contrast to the soft green foliage mottled with creamy white. Thrives in full sun in poor, well-drained soils. Rich, fertile soils are not recommended as they yield more foliage but reduce flowering. Drought-tolerant once established.

The ornamental value of the Alaska series is doubled compared to standard single-color nasturtiums: the variegated foliage provides visual interest before any flower appears, and the combination of cream-mottled green leaf and soft-toned flower creates a more complex, painterly display than the simpler contrast of plain green leaf and bold flower. The attractive foliage makes an eye-catching display even before the flowers emerge — the white marbling is most pronounced on young leaves and deepens in contrast under cool conditions.

Nasturtium is a good companion plant for beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, kale, melon, pumpkin, and radish. It can also be used as a trap crop, trapping pests such as aphids and giving a more appealing and delicious meal than nearby vegetable crops. Nasturtiums rank among the most common edible flowers — the delicate blossoms have a sweet, peppery taste similar to watercress. Leaves and unripe seed pods add a citrusy and peppery flavor to salads.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Tropaeolum minus
• Series: Tip Top Alaska Mixture
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit (Alaska Mixture)
• Defining characteristic: White-marbled variegated foliage — the only compact mounding nasturtium with variegated leaves
• Seed Type: Open pollinated heirloom
• Plant Type: Hardy annual
• Family: Tropaeolaceae
• Colors — Alaska Mixture: Yellow, orange, red, salmon, cherry, and cream

Key Features

• RHS Award of Garden Merit — independently verified exceptional garden performance
• The only compact mounding nasturtium with white-marbled variegated foliage — ornamental in leaves alone, before any flower appears
• Alaska Mixture: full nasturtium color range over variegated foliage — every color combination individually distinct
• Compact mounding habit 20–30 cm — non-trailing, non-climbing, self-contained
• Tropaeolum minus — smaller, more refined species than T. majus
• Fully edible — flowers, leaves, and unripe seeds with characteristic peppery flavor
• Variegated foliage ornamentally superior to plain-green nasturtiums in mixed container design
• Direct sowing strongly preferred — resents root disturbance
• Poor soil preferred — fertilizing reduces flowering
• Outstanding pollinator value — bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
• RHS-confirmed reliable performance and good garden performance year on year

Plant Information

• Height: 20–30 cm (8–12 inches depending on conditions)
• Spread: 20–30 cm
• Plant Type: Hardy annual
• Habit: Compact, bushy, mounding — non-trailing, non-climbing
• Flower Form: Funnel-shaped, single, open-faced — flowers held above foliage
• Foliage: Rounded parasol-like, green mottled and marbled with creamy-white — ornamental independent of flowering
• Edible: Flowers, leaves, and unripe seeds
• Alaska Mixture flower colors: Yellow, orange, red, salmon, cherry, cream

Germination Instructions

• Nick the seed coat and soak in warm water for 24 hours before planting to encourage germination.
• Direct sow after the last frost into the final growing position — nasturtiums resent root disturbance and perform significantly better when sown directly.
• If starting indoors, use individual peat pots that can be transplanted whole to avoid disturbing the roots.
• Sow 1.5–2 cm deep and firm gently. Keep consistently moist until germination which occurs in 7–14 days at 13–18°C.
• Final spacing: 20–25 cm between plants.
• Water consistently and do not fertilize — poor, well-drained soils produce the best flowering.
• For Kuwait: direct sow outdoors in October for cool-season flowering from November onward.
• Pre-soak seeds overnight before sowing.

Growing Tips

• Thrives in full sun in poor, well-drained soils. Some afternoon shade is appreciated in hot areas.
• Rich, fertile soils are not recommended as they yield more foliage but reduce flowering.
• Drought-tolerant once established. Nasturtium prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade with reduced flowering.
• Average well-drained soil produces the best growth — fertilize sparingly for more flowers.
• Keep plants well-watered as this helps moderate the spiciness of the leaves and flowers.
• Deadhead regularly to maintain continuous flowering.
• The variegated foliage of the Alaska series is at its most vivid and the cream marbling most pronounced under cool conditions and in good light — the pattern can fade in very high heat.
• Leave some seed pods to mature for self-seeding and for harvesting as caper substitutes.
• Nasturtium is a good companion plant for beans, broccoli, and cucumber, also useful as a trap crop attracting aphids away from vegetable crops.

Gulf Planting Season

• Direct sowing outdoors: October to November
• Peak flowering season: November to March
• Note: Tip Top Alaska Mixture is one of the simplest cool-season annuals to establish in Kuwait — it requires no indoor setup, no refrigeration, no special germination conditions, and no fertilizer.
• Direct sow in October after pre-soaking the large seeds overnight, and the plants will establish rapidly in Kuwait’s warm sandy soil and produce their first flowers within 7–10 weeks.
• The variegated Alaska foliage is at its most beautiful and the cream marbling most pronounced during Kuwait’s coolest months of December through February.

Garden & Culinary Uses

• Happy in a bed, border, or even in pots due to its non-trailing habit — the attractive foliage makes an eye-catching display even before the flowers emerge.
• The peppery flavor of the leaves and colorful flowers will enrich salads, and the unripened seeds can be used like capers — delicious combined with cream cheese or butter in canapés.
• An ideal plant for the front of sunny borders and patio tubs — a popular companion plant as the flowers attracts many beneficial insects.
• The prolific blooms are also wonderful used as an attractive edible garnish.
• The Alaska series occupies a distinct position in the Gulf cool-season edible flower garden.
• The variegated foliage adds a dimension of ornamental value that plain-green nasturtiums cannot provide — in mixed containers alongside white pansy, blue lobelia, or silver dusty miller, the cream-mottled Alaska leaves provide a mid-level visual texture that bridges the darker foliage of companion plants and the lighter flower colors above.
• Alaska Mixture provides the full nasturtium color experience over variegated foliage — appropriate where maximum color diversity from a single variety is the design intention.