Spring has sprung at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, as the “Hanging Nasturtiums” are back.

Cultivated throughout the winter to create lush, 20-foot vines of orange blossoms, these brightly-hued nasturtiums cascade from balconies overlooking the museum’s historic courtyard.

This annual tradition was started by Isabella Stewart Gardner more than a century ago in celebration of the arrival of spring, around the time of her birthday in April.

“Every year, New England eagerly awaits the Gardner’s magnificent Hanging Nasturtiums as one of the first signs of spring,” said Peggy Fogelman, Norma Jean Calderwood director of the museum.

“It’s a time-honored tradition and reminds us each year that beauty is always possible, even in moments of uncertainty,” the director added. “With the arrival of these gorgeous orange blossoms, we celebrate art, nature, and the hope and renewal of the season.”

“Hanging Nasturtiums” opens to the public on Wednesday, and is expected to be on view through Gardner’s April 14 birthdate.

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Since the early 1900s, the flowering vines have hung above the museum’s courtyard for about three weeks at the start of spring. The meticulous process of cultivating these saturated orange blooms begins with seedlings started in June, and tended to daily in the museum’s off-site greenhouses.

The installation of about 18 vines requires many hands. The Gardner’s Horticulture team, along with landscaping colleagues, transport the delicate potted plants one by one through the museum’s palace to the 3rd floor, where they are draped from balconies.

Director of Horticulture Erika Rumbley hangs nasturtiums at the Gardner Museum. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
This annual nasturtium tradition was started by Isabella Stewart Gardner more than a century ago in celebration of the arrival of spring. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Amanda DeGiorgi and Amelia Green prep nasturtiums to be hung at the Gardner Museum. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)