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Gerald L. Klingaman
Fabaceae
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweetpea
The sweet pea is an old favorite annual vine prized for the color and fragrance of its flowers. The blooms of this Mediterranean native have three distinctive parts: a large broad upper petal (banner), two smaller central petals (wings), and a large protruding central petal (keel). All sweet peas on the market are heavily bred and cultivated and come in all colors except true yellow. Doubles and those with ruffled petals are also available. The fruit is a flattened pea pod.
This easy to grow vine climbs by curled green tendrils. If left unsupported it will become a tangled shrubby mass of foliage, so it is best trained on a fence or trellis. This method will yield a wealth of flowers for cutting. Sweet pea bouquets are long-lasting, colorful and offer a delightful perfume that will fill a whole room.
Sweet peas grow best where climates are cool and mild. For best growth and prolonged flowering, they need full sun, rich soil amended with compost and steady moisture. In northern regions, they bloom in spring and early summer. Where summers are hot, start the seeds indoors in late winter and set the young plants in the garden as early in spring as possible. Where winters are mild, start the plants in fall.
8 - 1
9 - 10
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Annual
Full Sun
6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
Indeterminate
Mediterranean
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Loam
Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
White, Red, Blue, Purple, Pink, Rose, Salmon, Coral, Lavender, Blue Violet
Bicolor
Green, Tan
Green, Sea Green
Yes
No
Single
Medium
Matte
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Vine
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