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Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The plant that will brighten any garden — and is edible too
Nasturtiums are one of those plants that we take for granted. We depend on them to brighten up a so-so corner, and they do. We want them to be forever cheerful and they are. They are the go-to choice for companion planting, such is their appeal to pests. Kids love them too. They do all these jobs without complaint, an everyman (and woman) plant, but one that is very rarely the star of the show. We can change that, though. They are certainly one of the stars of the exhibition Cecil Beaton's Garden Party at the Garden Museum in London. This is a celebration of Beaton's lifelong love of flowers and, right smack in the middle of it, is a painting by him of his garden in 1960. It is entitled Cutting Garden Flowers and is dominated by nasturtiums and morning glories. Neither are traditional cut flowers, but Beaton and his collaborator Constance Spry loved them for their colours and used them often in their spectacular arrangements. • Read more wildlife & nature stories The painting, purchased by the museum a few years ago, was one of the inspirations for the show itself, as well as its Cook with the Seasons programme which, this summer, features nasturtiums. Ceri Jones is a chef and the creator of the course. While I have often used nasturtium flowers in salads, her sample menu is far more impressive. There are nasturtiums with glazed beetroot and whipped ricotta and a salad with tomato and olive. There is also a nasturtium leaf pesto pasta salad. Finally, there is pressed flower shortbread. Nasturtiums don't seem quite so humdrum now, do they? 'You can eat all parts of the plant — leaves, flowers, pods,' Jones says. She compares the peppery taste to watercress. 'There is no bitterness. The flowers are almost sweet.' You can use the flowers and leaves, picked, in salads and as garnish. The small round seedpods can be transformed (when young and semi-ripe) into what is called a poor man's caper. You'd think that with all that going for it (as well as being high in vitamin C), nasturtiums would be grown as a crop, like rocket or cress. The reason they aren't, Jones thinks, is that they attract so many pests. Of course, veg gardeners love them for this very trait. Nasties, as I sometimes call them, though the name doesn't fit at all, attract all kinds of aphids (including blackfly, greenfly and whitefly), flea beetles and cabbage white butterflies. They can be planted as a 'trap crop' to lure them from others. As a bonus, 'good' insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies love them. • The natural plant dye found in Tutankhamun's tomb Jones also loves them because she can grow them on her small (3m x 1m) fifth-floor balcony, which is northeast facing. Forage on the balcony? Yes, please. In addition to being tasty, they also brighten up one of her balcony corners with their orange and red flowers and rounded leaves. Another plus is that these plants aren't too fussed about what soil they grow in and are well suited to containers. Nasturtiums, native to South America, are usually annuals and known for being enthusiastic self-seeders. The most popular types are climbers (Tropaeolum majus) and bush or dwarf (T. minus). Colours include creams, oranges, reds, variegated and burgundies. The RHS notes that there are also some fancier ones, including a few perennials, as well as unusual colours such as sky blue (T. azureum). But back to the kitchen, where Jones is whipping up some nasturtium pesto. 'They turn every dish into a work of art,' she says. Stardom, at last. Ingredients • 50g pine nuts• 1 large handful of nasturtium leaves, approx 50g• 1 plump garlic clove, finely chopped• 120-150ml extra virgin olive oil• Zest and juice of 1 lemon• Sea salt Method 1. Toast the nuts in a dry hot frying pan until lightly browned all over. Transfer to a food processor with the garlic and blitz briefly until roughly broken down. Add the washed nasturtium leaves and blitz again briefly, then with the motor still running pour in 120ml olive oil and blend till the leaves have all broken down. 2. Add the lemon zest, juice and a big pinch of salt and blitz again to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a touch more oil if necessary Serving suggestion On bread with a generous layer of ricotta, topped with a slice or two of tomato and the pesto drizzled over. Garnish with a washed nasturtium flower.
Spectator
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Why you didn't want to get on the wrong side of Cecil Beaton
'Remember, Roy, white flowers are the only chic ones.' So Cecil Beaton remarked to Roy Strong, possibly as a mild put-down to the young curator. But it was a curious put-down to make because Beaton broke his own rule happily, buying mountainous armfuls of speckled yellow, pink and scarlet carnations at Covent Garden and longing to fill his borders with Korean chrysanthemums and purple salvias. This small exhibition at the Garden Museum enjoys the sweet-pea surface of Beaton's creations, while giving a flash of the glinting secateur that also made up such an important part of his personality. Beaton's ability as an image-maker was astounding. Those famous photos of his Cambridge days with the Bright Young Things are still outrageous, a mad foray into camp pastoral. In a huge bromide print from 1927 of Rex Whistler strumming a lute in a melancholy grove, every leaf seems to sigh. We're not altogether surprised to learn that Beaton left St John's, Cambridge, without a degree, but a glittering career clearly beckoned. Stage design, photography, floristry, costume: he did them all. He was a ruthlessly flattering photographer, making Wallis Simpson look positively vulnerable (a lonely wee thing against a big, wild wood), and he became sought after to the extent that he was also invited to photograph the Queen in 1939. He reached always towards elegance and fantasy, using blooms to garnish and garland. He was a master of allusion, adding an ear of corn to a country posy or using angel's trumpets (Brugmansia) to create an ethereal atmosphere around the model Penelope Tree. Of course Beaton loved flowers; he delivered beauty with a capital B.
South Wales Guardian
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Camilla reveals wish to become joint patron of ‘favourite' Garden Museum
Camilla visited an exhibition held by the Garden Museum in south London on Wednesday to celebrate British Flowers Week. She told attendees she had spoken to the King, who is already a patron, about joining him after previously joking during a visit last year about 'nudging' Charles from his position. Speaking during the visit on Wednesday, she said: 'I have said to my husband and talked to the office as I would very much like to become joint patron. This is one of my favourite places and it never ceases to surprise me', which prompted cheers and applause from the crowd. Gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, the president of the Garden Museum, said he would be following up Camilla's decision to become joint patron 'with a letter with a strong invitation'. Of her wish to become joint patron, he added: 'I wouldn't want to tread on His Majesty's toes but I think he would be delighted that Her Majesty is every bit as keen as he is.' Dressed in a polka dot dress and cream and black-toed shoes, Camilla was greeted by Titchmarsh and Christopher Woodward and Rupert Tyler, the Garden Museum's director and chairman of trustees. She told them the museum 'just gets better and better. I think it is hard to get it better but it always manages'. The Queen viewed six installations featuring British cut flowers and met the artists behind them, discussing the importance of diversifying as well as plant upkeep techniques. Camilla was accompanied at times by Sarah Hardy, the deputy director, and florist Shane Connolly, who designed the floral arrangements for the coronation in 2023. She also viewed Cecil Beaton's Garden Party, a display which included portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth), the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. Camilla then met schoolchildren from Evelyn Grace Academy and Platanos College in south-west London to learn about the biology of the tea plant at the museum. She told the children her favourite tea was mint but that she also liked lemon barley, adding they were 'nice to have after an evening meal' as they helped to digest it. She tried her hand at making mint teabags with the museum's plant science educator, Samia Qureshi. Camilla sniffed and placed the herbs in the drawstring bags and said: 'I shall sample that tonight.' Reaching the museum's cafe, she received a bouquet of flowers from head chef Myles Donaldson's daughter, Darcie, four, before telling cafe staff: 'I wish I was staying'.
Leader Live
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Camilla reveals wish to become joint patron of ‘favourite' Garden Museum
Camilla visited an exhibition held by the Garden Museum in south London on Wednesday to celebrate British Flowers Week. She told attendees she had spoken to the King, who is already a patron, about joining him after previously joking during a visit last year about 'nudging' Charles from his position. Speaking during the visit on Wednesday, she said: 'I have said to my husband and talked to the office as I would very much like to become joint patron. This is one of my favourite places and it never ceases to surprise me', which prompted cheers and applause from the crowd. Gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, the president of the Garden Museum, said he would be following up Camilla's decision to become joint patron 'with a letter with a strong invitation'. Of her wish to become joint patron, he added: 'I wouldn't want to tread on His Majesty's toes but I think he would be delighted that Her Majesty is every bit as keen as he is.' Dressed in a polka dot dress and cream and black-toed shoes, Camilla was greeted by Titchmarsh and Christopher Woodward and Rupert Tyler, the Garden Museum's director and chairman of trustees. She told them the museum 'just gets better and better. I think it is hard to get it better but it always manages'. The Queen viewed six installations featuring British cut flowers and met the artists behind them, discussing the importance of diversifying as well as plant upkeep techniques. Camilla was accompanied at times by Sarah Hardy, the deputy director, and florist Shane Connolly, who designed the floral arrangements for the coronation in 2023. She also viewed Cecil Beaton's Garden Party, a display which included portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth), the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. Camilla then met schoolchildren from Evelyn Grace Academy and Platanos College in south-west London to learn about the biology of the tea plant at the museum. She told the children her favourite tea was mint but that she also liked lemon barley, adding they were 'nice to have after an evening meal' as they helped to digest it. She tried her hand at making mint teabags with the museum's plant science educator, Samia Qureshi. Camilla sniffed and placed the herbs in the drawstring bags and said: 'I shall sample that tonight.' Reaching the museum's cafe, she received a bouquet of flowers from head chef Myles Donaldson's daughter, Darcie, four, before telling cafe staff: 'I wish I was staying'.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Camilla reveals wish to become joint patron of ‘favourite' Garden Museum
The Queen has revealed her wish to be joint patron of a London museum she has called one of her 'favourite places'. Camilla visited an exhibition held by the Garden Museum in south London on Wednesday to celebrate British Flowers Week. She told attendees she had spoken to the King, who is already a patron, about joining him after previously joking during a visit last year about 'nudging' Charles from his position. Speaking during the visit on Wednesday, she said: 'I have said to my husband and talked to the office as I would very much like to become joint patron. This is one of my favourite places and it never ceases to surprise me', which prompted cheers and applause from the crowd. Gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, the president of the Garden Museum, said he would be following up Camilla's decision to become joint patron 'with a letter with a strong invitation'. Of her wish to become joint patron, he added: 'I wouldn't want to tread on His Majesty's toes but I think he would be delighted that Her Majesty is every bit as keen as he is.' Dressed in a polka dot dress and cream and black-toed shoes, Camilla was greeted by Titchmarsh and Christopher Woodward and Rupert Tyler, the Garden Museum's director and chairman of trustees. She told them the museum 'just gets better and better. I think it is hard to get it better but it always manages'. The Queen viewed six installations featuring British cut flowers and met the artists behind them, discussing the importance of diversifying as well as plant upkeep techniques. Camilla was accompanied at times by Sarah Hardy, the deputy director, and florist Shane Connolly, who designed the floral arrangements for the coronation in 2023. She also viewed Cecil Beaton's Garden Party, a display which included portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth), the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. Camilla then met schoolchildren from Evelyn Grace Academy and Platanos College in south-west London to learn about the biology of the tea plant at the museum. She told the children her favourite tea was mint but that she also liked lemon barley, adding they were 'nice to have after an evening meal' as they helped to digest it. She tried her hand at making mint teabags with the museum's plant science educator, Samia Qureshi. Camilla sniffed and placed the herbs in the drawstring bags and said: 'I shall sample that tonight.' Reaching the museum's cafe, she received a bouquet of flowers from head chef Myles Donaldson's daughter, Darcie, four, before telling cafe staff: 'I wish I was staying'.
