Lathyrus odoratus and cvs. (Sweet pea)

posted by Noel-in-England
2/9/2011
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 5

(USA hardiness zone 5b - ie Colombia,Missouri; & Mansfield, Pennsylvania ) -- This is an Annual Climber , originating Sicily & brought to the U.K. in 1699. With a perfume to (almost!) die for,and a range of colors from Pink though White to Red & Lilac. The usual forms are a 6 ft. high, self-attaching climber but one can now find Dwarf and Hanging-Basket varieties. It's an easy plant to grow in full sun - with one remembering it is frost tender, with the most succesful plantings of it started off in small pots the previous October,overwintering them in a frost-free 'Cold Frame'. It likes a deep, well-drained( ie gritty) soil which has been improved with well-rotted Bulky Organic Matter ( manure!) & does well in large containers. With the climbing varieties, support is needed for the plants to climb-up, and this support can be bamboo canes or be more naturalistic/rustic sticks, inserted around the edge of the pot or in an 18 ich dia. circle. It should flower form June until September. The beauty of this plant is - the more you pick the flower stems - the more it produces them! But - if you didn't pick them,they will develop their seed-pods and your season-in-flower will be prematurely shortened. Just remember to let-develop a few of the later pods to give you next years plants. In the hottest U.S. regions, ( [ 10+ ] and preferably in a Conservatory) you could try sowing some seeds in the September, and IF the temp. doesn't dip below 50F and stays even, you will get flowers the following May.