Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
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Common Name: Annual Sweet Pea  
Plant photo of: Lathyrus odoratus
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Water Saving Tip:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Annual, Vine

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6', 6-12'

 

Flower Color

Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Sweet peas are lovely, old-fashioned annuals with a climbing or mounding habit and sweet, clove-like fragrance. They prefer cooler climates, but by selecting earlier blooming varieties they can be enjoyed, though briefer. Shades of pink, red, purple, apricot, cream, and white. Some modern hybrids aren't as fragrant, so check the seed packet.
Sweet peas require rich, well dug soils with a lot of organic matter. Full sun to a bit of shade. Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked. Deadheading prolongs blooming, and the flowers make lovely additions to bouquets. Blooms during spring, before the heat of summer.