The graceful beauty of annual sweet peas with their ruffled blossoms, soft
texture and glowing colors makes them one of the most irresistible flowers. Their scent is an
exquisite perfume of orange blossoms and honey, surely one of the most seductive of all flower
fragrances. Properly planted and tended, they are carefree and easy to grow - especially in mild
climate zones. Because so many varieties have been developed, sweet peas come in a symphony of soft
colors and bi-colors. A generous handful of their long-stemmed winged blossoms makes a beautiful
bouquet that will truly scent an entire room.
These flowers have a fascinating history. It is generally
believed that the first sweet pea seeds were harvested from the wild by a monk living on the island
of Sicily and sent to an English schoolmaster in 1699. These simple small maroon and purple
bicolored blossoms had captivating fragrance, and sweet peas enjoyed some small popularity, but
only five other colored selections were available at the beginning of the 19th century. In the mid
-1880's, a Scotsman named Henry Eckford began hybridizing and selecting sweet peas, introducing much
larger, more beautifully formed varieties with a wider range of colors. These "grandifloras" became
very successful commercially as cut flowers and were widely grown by horticulturists for
exhibition.
To purchase these and other Renee's Garden Seeds,
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At the turn of the 20th century (in 1901) the most celebrated new form of sweet
peas was discovered as a natural mutation in the gardens of the Earl of Spencer.
This Spencer type, as they came to be known, had much larger, wonderfully
ruffled upper or " standard" petals, longer lower "wing" petals and much showier
blossoms overall.
Lovely Spencer sweet peas represented a major improvement in form
and substance and the gardening public were greatly enamored by them to the point of obsession.
They became unbelievably popular throughout the first part of the 20th century and new varieties
were introduced with many varied colors and color combinations. Flower shows devoted exclusively to
sweet peas were commonplace, as were huge and highly competitive sweet pea societies who put on
elaborate sweet pea expositions. Major newspapers sponsored large cash prizes for the finest
exhibition winners. Spencer-type sweet peas still have the widest range of colors because the
intense fascination they hold for British horticulturists has resulted in so many varieties being
bred. However, late blooming Spencers are not the best choice to grow in areas where summer heat
comes on early because sweet peas prefer cooler weather for longest and best blooms, and Spencers
will not make a good showing in early summer heat.
In the USA, growers who at first began growing seeds for export
to this huge English market began to develop new sweet pea cultivars better suited to American
conditions. American seed companies soon discovered that the cool, mild coastal area near Lompoc,
California was ideally suited for sweet pea seed production and most of our American sweet pea
seeds are still produced in that area today. Because this location is so windy, the bees that
ordinarily visit sweet peas are inactive, so the flowers don't get cross pollinated and seed can be
kept very pure.
American seed companies developed sweet pea breeding with many new
introductions for the American market. Cuthbertsons are more early flowering and not quite as
ruffled as the Spencers. The Royal series, still widely available today, are a little later to
bloom but have a strong vigorous growth habit and long stems. Royals are still the most commonly
grown sweet pea for the cut flower market. The earliest sweet peas developed in the first part of
the 20th century were the Early Multiflora Giganteas. These blooms are large, with excellent form
and strong stems. The Mammoth series, selected from them, possesses longer stems and larger
blossoms and is still offered through many seed catalogues today. Dwarf and non-climbing sweet pea
cultivars were also developed in the last 50 years.
In modern Japan, single stems of remarkable cut flowers can command enormous prices,
so in the last decade American breeders took advantage of this made-to-order market for sweet peas
by developing Early Winter Blooming sweet peas. These flowers do not need constantly lengthening
days to initiate bloom like other varieties and have been successfully grown in green houses to
produce cut flowers out of season for the Japanese market. Renee's Garden carries the Early Winter
Blooming sweet peas varieties
Velvet Elegance and
Chiffon Elegance. In the very mild climate of Southern California,
gardeners can plant them in the beginning of August for blooms in time for the Christmas holidays!
In other climate zones, these varieties will bloom 10 days to several weeks earlier than
other sweet peas to start the season.
Modern sweet pea varieties, including the Spencer types, are only
moderately scented. For intense full–bodied perfume, seed companies have gone back to the
pre-Spencer types. Renee's Garden Perfume Delight,
Jewels of Albion,Queen of
Hearts, and Queen of the Nightare all selected, themed color blends of older, named
grandiflora sweet pea varieties. Painted Lady and Original Cupani are examples of
the oldest, pre 19th century forms. Their richly colored flowers are smaller and simpler in form,
but very fragrant, early blooming and more heat tolerant than most modern varieties.
In New Zealand, eminent flower breeder Dr. Keith Hammett has
developed wonderful cultivars that combine the weather tolerance and haunting perfume of old-
fashioned types with modern size and beautiful ruffled form in many beautiful rich colors,
bi-colors, and unusual color patterns. These extraordinary varieties of Hammett sweet peas are
offered exclusively through Renee's Garden: look for North Shore, Blue Celeste,
highly perfumed April in Paris, and the swirled novelty
Saltwater Taffy Swirls.
For those who would like to grow non-climbing sweet peas, the varieties Explorer, is
just 2 1/2 feet tall and makes fine, free-blooming spring border flowers. If you have just a small
patio space and like to grow flowers in containers, old-fashioned Cupid is a lovely pink
bicolor with sweet fragrance that drapes gracefully from pots or windowboxes.
Growing Great Sweet Peas
Growing sweet peas is really quite easy and rewarding if you
follow the basics. In mild winter climates, where the ground does not freeze, sweet peas
should be fall-sown in October or November for spring bloom. But if you don't get your sweet peas
planted in fall, you can still get a nice crop, although a little later to bloom, if planted in
late January or February. In cold winter areas, plant in early spring as soon as soil can be
worked; sweet peas can handle light frosts.
Plant your sweet peas in full sun in a garden spot with well-drained soil. If summer
weather is hot very early in the season where you live, sweet peas can thrive in a spot with
morning sun and bright afternoon shade. Dig deeply to loosen the soil and enrich it with aged
manure or compost before planting seeds. Don't forget to set up a well-anchored trellis, fence or
vertical support for climbing varieties before planting seeds. If all your seeds don't germinate in
10 days to two weeks, don't hesitate to plant more as they will catch up quickly. Some gardeners
like to soak sweet peas overnight before planting them; others never do it and still have good
results. If you do soak seeds, be sure you leave them in water no longer than eight hours before
planting immediately.
Sweet Pea seedlings are very attractive to birds, slugs and snails, especially if fall planted, so to have a wonderful flower display in spring and early summer, be sure to remember to be vigilant about protecting your seedlings throughout the winter from these predators. Keep your sweet pea vines mulched and well-watered for better flower production. Once they do start to produce, be sure to pick stems of blossoms every other day to keep seed pods from maturing, because the more you pick, the more new flowers the plants will develop.
Pick stems of sweet pea blossoms early in the morning, and put them in water right away. If you grow at least a row of 15 or 20 feet, you'll have lots to enjoy as centerpiece bouquets whose delicate winged flowers and deliciously evocative fragrance will bring a smile of pleasure to everyone who walks by them. Each season, you'll want to grow old favorites you adore as well as different varieties to experience the wonderful forms and colors of
these nostalgic old-fashioned beauties.
Read
Renee's
These flowers have a fascinating history. It is generally
believed that the first sweet pea seeds were harvested from the wild by a monk living on the island
of Sicily and sent to an English schoolmaster in 1699. These simple small maroon and purple
bicolored blossoms had captivating fragrance, and sweet peas enjoyed some small popularity, but
only five other colored selections were available at the beginning of the 19th century. In the mid
-1880's, a Scotsman named Henry Eckford began hybridizing and selecting sweet peas, introducing much
larger, more beautifully formed varieties with a wider range of colors. These "grandifloras" became
very successful commercially as cut flowers and were widely grown by horticulturists for
exhibition.
Lovely Spencer sweet peas represented a major improvement in form
and substance and the gardening public were greatly enamored by them to the point of obsession.
They became unbelievably popular throughout the first part of the 20th century and new varieties
were introduced with many varied colors and color combinations. Flower shows devoted exclusively to
sweet peas were commonplace, as were huge and highly competitive sweet pea societies who put on
elaborate sweet pea expositions. Major newspapers sponsored large cash prizes for the finest
exhibition winners. Spencer-type sweet peas still have the widest range of colors because the
intense fascination they hold for British horticulturists has resulted in so many varieties being
bred. However, late blooming Spencers are not the best choice to grow in areas where summer heat
comes on early because sweet peas prefer cooler weather for longest and best blooms, and Spencers
will not make a good showing in early summer heat.
In the USA, growers who at first began growing seeds for export
to this huge English market began to develop new sweet pea cultivars better suited to American
conditions. American seed companies soon discovered that the cool, mild coastal area near Lompoc,
California was ideally suited for sweet pea seed production and most of our American sweet pea
seeds are still produced in that area today. Because this location is so windy, the bees that
ordinarily visit sweet peas are inactive, so the flowers don't get cross pollinated and seed can be
kept very pure.
American seed companies developed sweet pea breeding with many new
introductions for the American market. Cuthbertsons are more early flowering and not quite as
ruffled as the Spencers. The Royal series, still widely available today, are a little later to
bloom but have a strong vigorous growth habit and long stems. Royals are still the most commonly
grown sweet pea for the cut flower market. The earliest sweet peas developed in the first part of
the 20th century were the Early Multiflora Giganteas. These blooms are large, with excellent form
and strong stems. The Mammoth series, selected from them, possesses longer stems and larger
blossoms and is still offered through many seed catalogues today. Dwarf and non-climbing sweet pea
cultivars were also developed in the last 50 years.
In modern Japan, single stems of remarkable cut flowers can command enormous prices,
so in the last decade American breeders took advantage of this made-to-order market for sweet peas
by developing Early Winter Blooming sweet peas. These flowers do not need constantly lengthening
days to initiate bloom like other varieties and have been successfully grown in green houses to
produce cut flowers out of season for the Japanese market. Renee's Garden carries the Early Winter
Blooming sweet peas varieties
Modern sweet pea varieties, including the Spencer types, are only
moderately scented. For intense full–bodied perfume, seed companies have gone back to the
pre-Spencer types. Renee's Garden
In New Zealand, eminent flower breeder Dr. Keith Hammett has
developed wonderful cultivars that combine the weather tolerance and haunting perfume of old-
fashioned types with modern size and beautiful ruffled form in many beautiful rich colors,
bi-colors, and unusual color patterns. These extraordinary varieties of Hammett sweet peas are
offered exclusively through Renee's Garden: look for
For those who would like to grow non-climbing sweet peas, the varieties
Growing sweet peas is really quite easy and rewarding if you
follow the basics. In mild winter climates, where the ground does not freeze, sweet peas
should be fall-sown in October or November for spring bloom. But if you don't get your sweet peas
planted in fall, you can still get a nice crop, although a little later to bloom, if planted in
late January or February. In cold winter areas, plant in early spring as soon as soil can be
worked; sweet peas can handle light frosts.
Plant your sweet peas in full sun in a garden spot with well-drained soil. If summer
weather is hot very early in the season where you live, sweet peas can thrive in a spot with
morning sun and bright afternoon shade. Dig deeply to loosen the soil and enrich it with aged
manure or compost before planting seeds. Don't forget to set up a well-anchored trellis, fence or
vertical support for climbing varieties before planting seeds. If all your seeds don't germinate in
10 days to two weeks, don't hesitate to plant more as they will catch up quickly. Some gardeners
like to soak sweet peas overnight before planting them; others never do it and still have good
results. If you do soak seeds, be sure you leave them in water no longer than eight hours before
planting immediately.
Sweet Pea seedlings are very attractive to birds, slugs and snails, especially if fall planted, so to have a wonderful flower display in spring and early summer, be sure to remember to be vigilant about protecting your seedlings throughout the winter from these predators. Keep your sweet pea vines mulched and well-watered for better flower production. Once they do start to produce, be sure to pick stems of blossoms every other day to keep seed pods from maturing, because the more you pick, the more new flowers the plants will develop.
Pick stems of sweet pea blossoms early in the morning, and put them in water right away. If you grow at least a row of 15 or 20 feet, you'll have lots to enjoy as centerpiece bouquets whose delicate winged flowers and deliciously evocative fragrance will bring a smile of pleasure to everyone who walks by them. Each season, you'll want to grow old favorites you adore as well as different varieties to experience the wonderful forms and colors of
these nostalgic old-fashioned beauties.