Franchi Capers seeds 1g

Franchi Capers Seeds (Capparis spinosa)

Grow your own Mediterranean delicacy with Franchi Capers (Capparis spinosa). This attractive perennial shrub is prized for its beautiful white flowers with striking purple stamens and its edible unopened flower buds, which are harvested and traditionally pickled to create the familiar capers used in Mediterranean cooking. Naturally adapted to hot, dry climates, capers thrive in sunny, sheltered locations with excellent drainage and can also be grown successfully in containers.

Although slow to establish, Capers are a rewarding long-lived plant, producing ornamental blooms throughout summer while adding a Mediterranean touch to patios, gravel gardens and conservatories.

Product Features

• Grow your own edible capers
• Beautiful white flowers with striking purple stamens
• Attractive Mediterranean perennial shrub
• Excellent for pots, raised beds and gravel gardens
• Drought tolerant once established
• Suitable for growing in greenhouses, conservatories and sheltered gardens

Plant Details

• Botanical Name: Capparis spinosa
• Common Name: Capers
• Plant Type: Tender perennial shrub
• Height: 30–100 cm (with spreading growth)
• Position: Full Sun
• Contents: Seed packet

Growing Information

When to Sow

• Indoors: February – June (or year-round in a heated propagator)

How to Sow

Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing to help improve germination. Sow into moist, free-draining seed compost, covering lightly with compost or grit. Keep at 20–25°C and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Germination can be slow and irregular, often taking several weeks.

Planting Out

Once plants are well established and all danger of frost has passed, harden them off before planting into a sunny, sheltered position with excellent drainage. In cooler climates, growing in a large container allows plants to be moved to protection during winter.

Harvesting

Unopened flower buds can be harvested during summer before they open. Traditionally, they are preserved by pickling in vinegar or curing in salt before use.

Growing Tips

• Requires full sun and very well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil.
• Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions.
• Water sparingly once plants are established.
• Protect from prolonged frost in colder climates.
• Plants may take 2–3 years to begin producing flower buds.

Garden & Culinary Uses

Capers are ideal for Mediterranean gardens, gravel gardens, rockeries and patio containers. The pickled flower buds are widely used to flavour pasta dishes, pizzas, salads, fish, chicken and sauces such as tartare sauce.

Why You’ll Love It

Franchi Capers offer the opportunity to grow one of the Mediterranean’s most distinctive culinary plants at home. With attractive flowers, drought tolerance and edible flower buds, it’s both an ornamental and productive addition to sunny gardens and patios.