‘Spencer’ sweet peas
The glorious fragrance of sweet peas saturates a garden atmosphere with dreamy romance and utter, sensual bliss. You will be delighted to know that growing these alluring flowers is nowhere near as problematic as some gardening ‘experts’ would have us believe.
There are a surprising number of sweet pea varieties: old-fashioned ones often bear slightly smaller flowers but have a stronger and more pleasant fragrance than the modern varieties such as Grandiflora and Spencer.
Sweet peas are also found in many sizes such as dwarf, medium and tall. The dwarf varieties are ideal for pot or container cultivation and for use in flower borders. The medium and tall ones have the capacity to tower over six feet in height and can be grown at the back of flower borders or at perfumed focal points in the garden. Very tall sweet pea varieties can transform pergolas into romantic retreats.
If there’s one plant you should plant this winter season, it’s the sweet pea
The colour range is incredible too: from pale, pastel shades and soft blues and whites to pinks and lavenders to midnight blues, claret, plum, blazing red and even chocolate browns. Then there are the bi-colours: lusciously marbled and streaked surprises; silken, fluted ones; and flaunting, ballerina-type frills.
Getting sweet peas — botanically known as Lathyrus odoratus — off to a good start is absolutely essential if you want your garden populated with these sought-after, highly-perfumed flowers.
Things to know before you plant
Sweet peas should be planted in the winter. They require a lot of nutrition, plenty of sunshine and regular watering. However, if mildew problems are to be avoided it is important that the soil drains well.
Inexperienced gardeners often presume that wilting indicates a lack of water yet it is a common sign of over-watering too. Make sure to monitor for signs of water-logging such as the yellowing of the leaves, rotting of the plant roots or blackening of previously healthy stems. If the problem isn’t rectified in time, fungal disease can occur and kill the plant.
Preparing the soil
An ideal soil mix is composed of 50 per cent sweet earth, 25 per cent old, well-rotted, organic manure and 25 per cent top quality, preferably homemade, organic compost. Sweet peas can also be grown, with great success, in suitably large pots / containers.