Flower Spotlight: The Sweetness of the Sweet Pea

The sweet pea flower, lathyrus odoratus, is a much-loved, easy to care for favorite.  It grows well in most climates and can bloom from Spring all the way through to the end of Fall/early Winter in mild climates.  Blooming in blues and purples, all shades of pinks and reds, and even in pure white, it is a colorful and pretty flower to keep in your garden.

They can be grown as an edging plant, in containers, or with shrubbery (because they will intertwine and grow through the shrubbery), or mixed within your vegetable garden, as they will help attract beneficial insects.  Because their vines tend to intertwine, the larger varieties can be planted along side fences and other types of support.  Sweet peas give a home garden a more “cottage” look and are just a soft, sweet accent!

And the best part is, they smell wonderful!  Many gardeners describe the smell as sweet with a slight citrus hint to it.  Because they don’t have an over-powering scent, sweet peas are great cut flowers to bring indoors.

They prefer a lot of sun, minimal shading, and well drained soil.  I would recommend starting them by seed,  indoors, in late winter.  Soak the seeds overnight and pinch them to promote shoot growth.  Plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart in a rich potting soil.  You’ll want to water pretty generously when the seeds are first planted, until the seedlings germinate, then reduce to about once a week.

Once the last of the year’s frost has gone for good, the seedlings can be transplanted outdoors.  Same rules: 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart, water once a week (give or take, depending on climate).  Sweet peas thrive in cooler climates, but they can do well in warmer/hotter climates, as long as they get some shade and enough water.  It is recommended to cover your soil with a thin layer of mulch to help keep heat out and moisture in.

Another recommendation is to add compost to your soil before transplanting outdoors.  Sweet peas like nutrient rich soil, and compost will aid in delivering much needed nutrients to your plants.  A good fertilizer to use is fish emulsion or kelp (seaweed) because sweet peas like potassium rich plant food.  Some gardeners would also suggest mixing blood meal in to the soil to help with stem growth.  Deadheading will also help promote a longer bloom.

Some favorites are Spencers, Grandiflora (antique), and Dwarfs.  All species can be started by seed and found in any local garden shop.   Until next time, take care and happy gardening!