Sweet pea flowers, scientifically known as Lathyrus odoratus, are annual climbers renowned for their enchanting fragrance and vibrant, often bi-colored blooms. These flowers come in a spectrum of colors including pinks, purples, blues, whites, reds, and even bicolors, with some varieties sporting frilly or ruffled petals that add to their charm. Their delicate, butterfly-like flowers are not just a visual delight but are also celebrated for their sweet, often heady scent which can range from honey-like to spicy, making them a favorite for perfumed gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Cultivation of sweet peas is both an art and a science, requiring cool temperatures for optimal growth and blooming. They are typically sown in autumn or early spring, directly into the ground or in containers, where they can climb up trellises, fences, or other supports. Sweet peas need well-drained, rich soil and plenty of sunlight but should be protected from the harshest midday sun. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, and picking the flowers for bouquets not only extends the flowering period but also brings the delightful scent indoors. They are also known to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing positively to garden ecosystems.
Historically, sweet peas have a rich cultural background; they were first brought from Sicily to England in the late 17th century by a monk named Father Cupani. Over the centuries, through selective breeding by enthusiasts like Henry Eckford in the 19th century, sweet peas have evolved into the myriad of varieties we see today. They hold a special place in gardening for their nostalgic appeal, often associated with cottage gardens and Victorian-era flower gardens. Their fleeting beauty, as they bloom best in cooler weather, reminds us to enjoy the ephemeral nature of spring and early summer, making them symbols of pleasure and the transient beauty of life.
Sweet Pea Flowers (Lathyrus odoratus)
Matucana
One of the oldest heirloom varieties, Matucana is prized for its deep purple, almost black flowers with a rich, sweet scent. It’s a climbing variety with blooms that have a distinct hood over the petals, adding an exotic touch to any garden. Its historical significance in sweet pea breeding makes it a must-have for enthusiasts.
Cupani
Another ancient variety, Cupani was the first sweet pea brought to England in the 17th century, named after its discoverer, Father Cupani. It features bicolored flowers with dark purple wings and maroon standards, offering a dramatic contrast. This variety is not only historically important but also valued for its strong fragrance.
Royal Wedding
As its name suggests, this variety is perfect for wedding bouquets, with large, pure white flowers that emit a sweet scent. Royal Wedding grows vigorously, producing long stems ideal for cutting, and it’s often used to add a touch of elegance to garden settings or floral arrangements.
Spencer Series
Known for their large, ruffled blooms, the Spencer series includes many different colors like ‘Old Spice Mix’, which offers a blend of traditional hues. These sweet peas are favored for their extended vase life and their ability to produce an abundance of flowers, making them a garden and florist’s favorite.
Lavender Lace
This variety showcases delicate, lavender-colored flowers with a lacy appearance due to their fine, ruffled edges. Lavender Lace has a subtle, sweet fragrance, perfect for borders, trellises, or as a backdrop in cottage gardens where its color and scent can be fully appreciated.
King’s High Scent
True to its name, King’s High Scent is renowned for its incredibly strong fragrance. The flowers are a vibrant pink, offering both visual and olfactory pleasure. This variety is excellent for those looking to fill their gardens with the quintessential sweet pea scent.
Nimbus
With deep blue, almost navy blooms, Nimbus brings a cool tone to the sweet pea palette. Its fragrance is less intense but still pleasant, and the variety is appreciated for its ability to thrive in cooler climates, providing a lovely contrast against the green foliage.
April in Paris
This sweet pea variety seduces with its soft, pastel shades reminiscent of a Parisian spring. The flowers can be a mix of pink, lavender, and white, with blooms that are slightly smaller but fragrant. It’s perfect for those who adore a more subdued color scheme in their gardens.
Perfume Delight
As one might expect from its name, Perfume Delight is all about the scent. This variety produces creamy white flowers with a hint of pink, and its fragrance is one of the strongest among sweet peas. It’s ideal for planting near seating areas where its scent can be enjoyed.
Mollie Rilstone
One of the fragrant, early flowering varieties, Mollie Rilstone offers delicate, blush-pink flowers. It’s known for its long stems, which are great for cutting, and its sweet, lingering scent adds to the charm of this variety, making it a fine choice for bouquets and garden displays.
Blue Shift
This unique sweet pea changes color as it matures, shifting from a light blue to a deeper, more violet hue. Blue Shift is not only visually captivating but also carries a pleasant fragrance, making it a conversation piece in any garden or vase.
Painted Lady
Dating back to the 18th century, Painted Lady has stood the test of time with its simple, bi-colored flowers of red and pink. It’s less about the fragrance and more about the classic, nostalgic beauty it brings, often evoking memories of old cottage gardens.
Charlie’s Angel
This variety is celebrated for its large, ruffled flowers in a beautiful salmon pink hue. Charlie’s Angel is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, making it a standout in both gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Erewhon
Erewhon features blooms in a unique, soft coral color, setting it apart from more common sweet pea shades. It’s noted for its vigorous growth and delightful scent, adding a touch of warmth and color to any garden space.
Gwendoline
With its bright, clear pink flowers, Gwendoline brings a cheerful vibe to any setting. This variety is particularly valued for its long bloom time and the intense fragrance of its flowers, which are perfect for cutting.
Henry Eckford
Named after the famous sweet pea breeder, this variety produces deep orange flowers with a spicy, clove-like scent. Henry Eckford sweet peas are not only beautiful but also carry a historical significance, being part of the early developments in sweet pea cultivation.
Jilly
Jilly boasts large, ruffled blooms in a rich, wine-red color. It’s a relatively new variety known for its long stems and strong fragrance, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add depth and drama to their floral displays.
Mollus
Mollus offers an unusual look with its bi-colored flowers of creamy white and deep purple. This variety has a pleasing scent and is known for its impressive bloom size and the number of flowers per plant, providing a striking visual contrast.
Oban Bay
This variety enchants with its deep blue flowers, reminiscent of the clear waters of Oban Bay in Scotland. Oban Bay sweet peas are known for their rich fragrance and are particularly eye-catching when used in garden borders or as cut flowers.
Pandemonium
True to its name, Pandemonium brings chaos in color with its mix of bright, vivid hues including reds, pinks, and purples. This variety is excellent for those who love a wild, colorful garden or bouquet, with each stem a surprise in color but consistent in fragrance.
Prince of Orange
A vibrant orange sweet pea, Prince of Orange is a relatively modern cultivar that stands out with its bold color and sweet, citrus-like fragrance. It’s perfect for adding a splash of sunshine to both gardens and floral designs.
Serendipity
Serendipity offers a mix of pastel colors, with blooms that can be soft pinks, lavenders, and whites. It’s appreciated for its gentle fragrance and the way it can brighten up a garden with its unexpected, yet harmonious, color combinations.
Wiltshire Ripple
With its unique color pattern, Wiltshire Ripple has flowers edged in white, contrasting with the central color, which can vary from pink to lavender. This variety adds a touch of elegance with its sweet scent and is great for creating interest in both garden beds and cut flower arrangements.
Zebra
Zebra sweet peas are distinctive for their bi-colored stripes, where each petal has a white base with a contrasting color like purple or blue. This pattern gives them a zebra-like appearance, and they have a mild, pleasant fragrance, making them a novelty in any garden.