One of the best plants for cutting, sweet peas (officially known as Lathyrus odoratus) offer tempting colors and aroma for spring and early summer bouquets. The tiny flowers emit a grape-like fragrance into the air and come in a variety of beautiful colors. We enlisted the assistance of Barb Pierson, our nursery manager, to provide some guidance for individuals who have never grown Sweet Peas in a garden or a container pot. Any beginner or green thumb can benefit from a plentiful supply of these lovely flowers thanks to her advice.
Why do people grow Sweet Peas?
Sweet peas are cultivated for their lovely, ruffled blossoms, which come in pastel, blue, and bicolor hues. They are a beautiful cut flower since many types have scented blooms. The cultivation and breeding of sweet peas for both the home grower and the florist industry has a long history.
How do I go about growing Sweet Peas?
Sweet peas can be grown from seed that is treated before sowing or, more conveniently, from a starting plant. At White Flower Farm, we plant three seeds in each pot to create three Sweet Pea vines.
Where do I plant them and when?
In the northern half of the US, sweet peas flourish in the full sun. They can benefit from afternoon shade in the South. They are planted as early as possible in the spring since they prefer mild temperatures and cool roots. Newly planted seedlings will not be harmed by a mild cold. They can be sown in the fall and cultivated through the winter and early spring in highly warm climates. Compost should be added to the soil, and the area should be well-drained for optimal results. Sweet peas can be successfully grown in raised beds.
Do they need any special care while they are growing?
Sweet peas require support to grow and flower because they are climbing plants. Many other kinds of structures, like a trellis, supports made of mesh or wire, or fences, can be used. To sustain the weight of the vines, they require a sturdy framework that is firmly planted in the ground. The vegetation will develop tendrils that encircle the support you offer.
Since they like nutrient-rich soil, adding compost at planting time is advised. Mulching Sweet Peas will keep the roots cool and help them retain moisture as they grow.
Pinch the growth tips by one after the plants have reached a height of around six to encourage branching and the development of extra flowering stems.
What are the most common mistakes that people make with Sweet Peas?
- planting them in the middle of the summer They dislike the heat and won’t blossom as frequently.
- not offering assistance when planting. Once the plants have begun to grow, it is challenging to install your trellis or support.
- Lack of compost or fertilizer will cause weak plants and fewer flowers in poor soil.
- If Sweet Peas are planted too closely together without being thinned out, powdery mildew can grow and crowding lowers bloom production.
Do Sweet Peas produce pods that you can eat like the ones you find in the grocery store?
Despite having the appearance of snap pea pods, the seed pods are not edible. The pods and seeds can be saved in order to grow plants the following year. Remember that the plants that the seeds may grow may not be the same hue as the parent plant.
Will the plants come back again next year?
The plants are typically not winter hardy in most areas. They are replanted with new seed and plants even in warm climates to produce the most flowers and have robust development.
When do they bloom? Are there tips for getting extra blossoms?
Sweet peas will begin to blossom 4 to 6 weeks after they begin to show apparent vining. Whether or not the plants have been pulled back will affect the timing of the bloom. Although pinching may slightly limit growth, it will result in bushier plants with more flowers. In the spring and early summer, sweet peas will grow and bloom more quickly as the days lengthen. Compost or old dry manure can aid to supply nutrients for the growth of huge, many blooms. A fertilizer with a phosphorus to nitrogen ratio greater than one can also increase flower production.
What is the process for cutting the blooms?
Cut the blossoms early in the day to prevent the sun from drying them off. For your vase, select newly opened flowers with the longest stems. Just the side flowering stems of the plant should be clipped; leave the main stem alone.
Why should I get my Sweet Peas from White Flower Farm?
No seed treatment or waiting for germination is necessary because our plants are grown in our greenhouses in the spring and supplied to you at the ideal time for planting in your region. Our sweet peas arrive completely rooted and ready to plant in the ground in 4 pots, each containing 3 seedlings. You can avoid the time and hassle of starting sweet peas from seed by doing this. The quickest method to enjoy these beautiful flowers outdoors and in vases within your house is to purchase and plant our Sweet Pea seedlings.
When do sweet peas flower?
Annual climbing vines with a cool-season growth period, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) can grow up to 6 feet in height. They are prized for their delightfully fragrant, fluttery blooms, which are available in a variety of shapes and colors thanks to centuries of selective breeding, including bicolored, streaked, and picoted varieties. The late 1600s saw the introduction of sweet peas to the world by Sicilian monk and gardener Francisco Cupani. Modern advancements have boosted disease resistance, lengthened bloom durations, increased adaptability, and given gardeners throughout the world access to a wider variety of colors, sizes, and forms, continuing the fascination with these exquisitely fragrant blossoms. In our area, sweet pea starts are available from late fall to early spring at your favorite local nursery, and seeds are always accessible online and in the best garden centers. Sweet peas are simple to grow and equally beautiful in the garden as in a vase. My preferred seed suppliers are Johnny’s Selected Seeds, which carries many of the most recent and outstanding introductions, and Renee’s Garden Seeds, which is a great place to get heirlooms like the delightfully scented “Cupani’s Original.”
Favorite cultivars
Here are my current favorite gorgeous items in order of choice, depending on how well they performed in the garden and vases last year: The varieties “Old Times,” “Zinfandel,” “Elegance Pink Diana,” “Pulsar,” and “Blue Celeste” are all tall, high-yielding, robust growers that deliver armloads of ruffled, long-stemmed, vibrant blooms over an extended period. When in full bloom, these kinds are sure to halt you in your tracks, and when cut and brought within, they provide stunning, incredibly fragrant bouquets. The antiques “Cupani’s Original,” “Miss Wilmott,” and “America” deserve honorable attention. Additionally, Renee’s Garden’s “Color Palette Cupid” combination is ideal for window boxes and hanging baskets.
When to plant
When planted early enough to ensure that the majority of their prebloom growth takes place during the cool weather of fall, winter, and early spring, sweet peas flower more abundantly and with better-quality blooms. If you are directly sowing your sweet peas in the garden in Northern California, the best period to ensure the most exceptional, blossom-filled crops is from late September through October. This season lasts through the middle of March if you are purchasing young sweet pea plants from your neighborhood nursery. Note: Sweet peas are frost-tolerant and do not require shelter from the cold during the winter.
Growing conditions
Sweet peas grow best in full sun, but they can handle some afternoon shadow and, as the season goes on, actually perform better under cover in the hotter NorCal regions. Sweet peas require vertical support in the shape of a trellis, arbor, fence, or obelisk to accommodate their tendril-based climbing behavior, with the exception of miniature cultivars that work best in hanging baskets or window boxes. Plant in well-tended, well-drained soil that has been amended with compost and E. B. Stone Organics for the greatest results. Certain Start The early watering requirements of your sweet peas should be met by fall and winter rainfall, but be prepared to irrigate frequently as soon as it becomes required. Feed your sweet peas regularly with a well-balanced fertilizer to sustain their aggressive growth habit and promote plentiful bloom production. When plants are producing for a while, it’s normal for them to start growing shorter stems than they did in the past. If this happens, side-dress your plants with a little blood meal and thoroughly water them. This makes it more likely that long-stemmed bloom production will resume.
Pests and problems
Be prepared with your preferred slug and snail cure because developing seedlings might suffer damage from slugs and snails. Additionally, birds enjoy nibbling on the sensitive, young foliage, so if required, put bird netting in place. These risks become less of a concern as the plants get larger, although aphids and thrips can still be a problem. Keep an eye on your plants, steer clear of chemicals, and spray any offenders with water to remove them. Pests won’t like the leaves if you feed them with a weak manure tea or diluted fish emulsion solution, which will also promote plant growth. In order to prevent mildew issues and provide proper air circulation, place your plants 6 to 8 inches apart.
Bloom period
The display starts earlier if you plant your sweet peas early! First long-stemmed, fragrant, fluttery blooms should show as early as March if planted in September or October. The bloom period will begin later if you plant later, but regardless of when you plant, your plants will continue to bloom and provide bouquet after bouquet until July in our area the more sweet peas you collect. Simply keep on cutting and filling your vases, and if you choose to leave blossoms on your vines to adorn your outdoor space, be sure to remove any seedpods that may result.
In Petaluma, California, Fionuala Campion is the proprietor and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma.
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How many days do sweet peas bloom?
To avoid mildew, sweet peas require a location in full sun, rich soil that drains very well, and sufficient air circulation. Increased organic material must be worked into clay-rich soil in order to improve drainage. Consider using raised beds for successful results if the soil is excessively wet.
If you are aware that summer heatwaves can come on suddenly, plant your sweet pea seeds where there will be some afternoon shade. For best results, carefully read the instructions on the seed packet. Proper plant spacing is essential. Slugs and snails should be kept away from seedlings. Use netting suspended over seedlings until they are 4 to 5 inches tall if marauding seed and seedling-eating birds are an issue.
Adequate water is a crucial requirement for all sweet pea varieties. If summer rain is insufficient to keep them evenly moist, be sure to water germination-stage seeds, seedlings, and vigorously growing older vines on a regular basis. If the soil is dry when your finger is inserted up to the first joint in the soil bed, water the plants.
Sweet peas are strong feeders, so add plenty of rich compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting. At least twice during the growing season, fertilize the soil with a thorough soil drench made up of one tablespoon of liquid kelp and one tablespoon each of fish emulsion. (Every few weeks, sweet peas grown in containers require regular fertilization.)
Aphids can be a problem for sweet peas; spray them off frequently with water. Sticky pheromone traps placed among the vines to attract and capture thrips, an opportune pest, can be used to efficiently control them. Mildew can be avoided with enough airflow and by not watering in the late afternoon and evening ( until the plants succumb to it naturally at the end of their bloom period.)
Almost any vertical support structure will allow all tall vining kinds to naturally grow up it. They will develop into strings, netting, wire, wooden, or pretty much any other sort of trellis. In the soil you can also utilize long branches that were left over after tree pruning. Wrap them in twine or netting so the tendrils can grip because they cannot twine around heavy poles like bamboo. It’s usually advisable to stay away from wire fencing in really hot climates like Texas. Before you sow the seeds or once they are a few inches tall, erect your securely anchored supports.
Between 75 and 85 percent of sweet pea seeds will germinate. There is always a little fraction that goes dormant, giving Mother Nature a refuge in the wild in case of bad weather. Only plant the seeds that have swollen and soak them in tap water for no longer than one night prior to planting in order to leave out the dormant ones. Never soak seeds; rather, nick them to let moisture seep into the seed coat for the highest possible germination rates. To accomplish this, simply cut a small hole with nail clippers in the seed’s outer layer; no chunk needs to be gouged out; this will allow moisture to enter the seed naturally. Although this nicking procedure takes more time, it will ensure excellent germination.
Plant seeds 2 to 3 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Depending on the climate and soil temperature, seeds can fully germinate between 10 to 28 days. Dig down to check if the seeds are still present if your sweet peas do not germinate well. Plant more immediately soon if they have decayed or been eaten since they will quickly catch up. It’s crucial to thin seedlings when they are several inches tall so that they stand about 5- 6 inches apart. This will provide the plants room to develop and flourish. Pinch off the top set of leaves when seedlings have three or four sets to encourage plants to branch out. Avoid significant changes in soil moisture during the active growing season by keeping sweet pea plants evenly moist. Mulching is a wise tactic.
Picking bouquets early and frequently can help you enjoy the longest season of spectacular bloom; the less you pick, the later the plants will go to seed and wither. Harvest flower stems frequently as the lowest blossom on each stalk just starts to open. Although stems may get shorter as the season goes on, the flowers are still large and gorgeous.
Sweet Peas Species
Our common garden sweet pea is the annual species Lathyrus odoratus; you can find them in a variety of colors and growth patterns, including:
tall varieties of vines
Depending on the region and season, these robust vines can grow to be 5 to 10 feet tall and produce numerous flower stems over a six to eight week bloom period. Tall vining plant species come in a variety of floral shapes:
Intense breeding efforts have been made in England to produce tall vining “Spencer” cultivars with bigger, waved and ruffled exquisite flowers. Because English breeders typically have been more focused in petal shape, form, stem length, and color than in perfume or weather tolerance, some Spencers are quite fragrant while others are very faintly so. Nowadays, Spencer kinds can be used to describe the majority of large-petalled, ruffled sweet pea cultivars. We stock the scented Spencer type “Blue Celeste.”
Mammoth and Royals are two American cultivars developed in the middle to end of the 20th century that have good-sized flowers, a light perfume, and are widely available. Since our only area of expertise is scented sweet peas, we do not provide these varieties.
Variety of Containers & Window Boxes
These tiny plants look great in containers and have stems that are 8 to 10 inches in length or have spreading and mounding characteristics. The heirloom varieties “Windowbox Cupid” and “Cupid Color Palette” are available from us.
Short, unable-to-climb Dwarfs
These sweet peas are short and don’t require vertical supports, with some varieties being tendril-less. It’s “Explorer” for us.
Other Species of Sweet Peas:
In the West, the perennial Lathyrus latifolius is frequently observed as a naturalized roadside wildflower. The cultivated form of this perennial, which is far more drought tolerant than annual sweet peas, can be trained to grow into an appealing and dependable permanent hedge plant. Although the flowers are plain, small, and odorless, their shape makes me think of miniature orchids. They come in rose, pure white, and shell pink. We market these colored mixtures as “Garden Orchids.” In zone 4 at Sweet Pea Gardens in Surrey, Maine, where they are quite hardy and over ten years old, Susan Keating has planted perennial sweet peas as a tall blooming screen on the side of her garage. Their flowering stalks also make lovely arrangement flowers.
This diminutive sweet pea, Lathyrus sativus azureus, features 1 inch dazzling azure-blue flowers and tangled grassy leaves. Plants only reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. attractive landscape accents in pots with minimal supports. We offer “Electric Blue” for sale.
Dr. Hammett is attempting to stabilize hybrids between several annual species in order to bring together lovely form and scent with fresh colors and heat tolerance. For home gardeners, the next ten years will bring some interesting new advances, such as real tricolor sweet peas and non-fading orange and apricot colours, all of which have potent fragrances.
Sweet Peas in Containers
Gardeners with patios, decks, or merely tiny gardening spaces can take advantage of the short, mounding kinds of sweet peas, like “Color Palette,” to enjoy their beauty and delicious smell. These small vines, which only reach a height of 8 to 10 inches, have delicately cascading branches and fragrant blossoms. A rose-pink and white bicolor as well as a combination of lavender, pink, dark purple, and mahogany are among the colors. Plant seeds immediately in deep containers with a minimum 8-inch diameter or rectangular window boxes with a minimum 6-inch depth in the very early spring. Always place seeds in planting containers 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart, in uniformly pre-moistened, high-quality, fresh potting soil. Germination takes 10 to 28 days when kept uniformly wet and in full sun.
Make sure to thin seedlings to 4 inches apart after they reach 2 inches in height (so, for example, you would leave 4-5 evenly spaced plants in a 12 inch in diameter container.) Plants can spread out and expand as a result as they get older. It’s crucial to remember to fertilize container sweet peas frequently (every two weeks) and to maintain them well-watered. Defend plants from snails and slug damage. Remove faded blossoms on a regular basis for the longest bloom. Mulch your containers and provide them with afternoon shade during the summer to extend their bloom.