All about Sweet Pea - Garden Plants and Gardening Forum

lspichkin · 01-26-2009, 11:21 AM

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to the eastern Mediterranean region from Sicily east to Crete.

It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of 1-2 m where suitable support is available. The leaves are pinnate with two leaflets and a terminal tendril, this twining round supporting plants to help it climb. Unlike most peas, the seeds of the sweet pea are poisonous as they contain a neurotoxin, and should not be eaten.

They are often grown by gardeners for their bright colours and the sweet fragrance that gives them their name.

In mild climates you can grow sweet peas from seed by planting in the fall for a spring bloom. In colder climates, plant about a month from the last freeze. If the weather turns hot and humid be sure to provide some amount of shade for these plants.

Find a well draining spot with rich soil. You may need to prepare your soil before planting by mixing in a compost mix. Plant about an inch down into the soil and about 2-3 inches apart. Your sweat peas will need support as they grow taller so make sure to have something in place before you need it. Finish with a good watering.

Once your sweet peas grow in, thin them to 5 inches apart so the roots have enough room to grow and collect nutrients. Proper air circulation between the plants will also help in preventing disease.

Once a bloom begins to fade, trim the entire flower stem to encourage new growth.

Penny · 01-27-2009, 05:50 AM

Those are so pretty, i am going to be trying them for the first time in my gardens this year,

mary2000 · 07-14-2010, 09:59 PM

Annual climbers bearing clusters of flowers in a wide variety of colors including red, pink, blue, white and lavender. The stems appear folded and the flowers resemble fringed butterflies. The old-fashioned varieties were selected for their vibrant colors and intense fragrance. Many modern cultivars are on the market offering sweet peas in almost every color except yellow. Not all Sweet pea varieties are fragrant. They have a long season of bloom and make excellent cut flowers.
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01-26-2009, 11:21 AM	#1
lspichkin Administrator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Hollywood, CA Posts: 221 Images: 88	All about Sweet Pea Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to the eastern Mediterranean region from Sicily east to Crete. It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of 1-2 m where suitable support is available. The leaves are pinnate with two leaflets and a terminal tendril, this twining round supporting plants to help it climb. Unlike most peas, the seeds of the sweet pea are poisonous as they contain a neurotoxin, and should not be eaten. They are often grown by gardeners for their bright colours and the sweet fragrance that gives them their name. In mild climates you can grow sweet peas from seed by planting in the fall for a spring bloom. In colder climates, plant about a month from the last freeze. If the weather turns hot and humid be sure to provide some amount of shade for these plants. Find a well draining spot with rich soil. You may need to prepare your soil before planting by mixing in a compost mix. Plant about an inch down into the soil and about 2-3 inches apart. Your sweat peas will need support as they grow taller so make sure to have something in place before you need it. Finish with a good watering. Once your sweet peas grow in, thin them to 5 inches apart so the roots have enough room to grow and collect nutrients. Proper air circulation between the plants will also help in preventing disease. Once a bloom begins to fade, trim the entire flower stem to encourage new growth.

07-14-2010, 09:59 PM	#3
mary2000 Green Gardener Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	The Queen of the Annuals Annual climbers bearing clusters of flowers in a wide variety of colors including red, pink, blue, white and lavender. The stems appear folded and the flowers resemble fringed butterflies. The old-fashioned varieties were selected for their vibrant colors and intense fragrance. Many modern cultivars are on the market offering sweet peas in almost every color except yellow. Not all Sweet pea varieties are fragrant. They have a long season of bloom and make excellent cut flowers. ______________________ Office Chairs \| Chairs

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01-27-2009, 05:50 AM	#2
Penny Green Gardener Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 20	Those are so pretty, i am going to be trying them for the first time in my gardens this year,