Annual sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are the single-season beauties we know and love. In many areas of North America, the perennial sweet pea (L. latifolius) is an invasive problem, clogging open fields and roadsides. It looks pretty until you realize it’s crowding out other plants and acting like a thug.
Is sweet pea native to North America?
Lathyrus pauciflorus (Steppe sweetpea) | Native Plants of North America.
Do I need a trellis for sweet peas?
Because Sweet Peas are vining, they need support to grow up and flower. Many types of structures can work such as a trellis, supports with mesh or twine, or fences. They need a structure that is well anchored in the ground to support the weight of the vines.
Does sweet pea come back every year?
There are annual and perennial types of sweet pea flowers. The annuals, Lathyrus odoratus, are usually highly fragrant climbers that last for one season and have to be sown fresh every year. The perennial or ‘everlasting’ types, Lathyrus latifolius, come back every spring, but most have little to no scent.
Should you cut back sweet peas?
Cut perennial Lathyrus back to ground level in autumn or, preferably, leave the cutting back until February so the dead stems provide cover for wildlife in winter. Simply pull out and compost annual sweet peas once flowering has finished at the end of summer. In hot, dry seasons this might be a bit sooner.
How long do sweet peas last?
4 to 5 days
Sweet peas are a short-lived cut flower, lasting at best 4 to 5 days in a vase. Adding sugar or flower preservative to the water makes a big difference and will add a few extra days.
Are sweet peas toxic to dogs?
Keeping in mind that fruits and vegetables are not necessary to a dog’s diet and should be thought of as an occasional treat, peas are not toxic or poisonous to dogs.
Is sweet pea a wild flower?
Lathyrus vestitus, commonly called Wild Sweet Pea, is a member of the Fabaceae (pea family). This plant is considered endemic – a native, that grows only in California.
Plant Description.
| Common Name(s): | Wild Sweet Pea |
|---|---|
| Blooms: | March to August |
| Fire Response: | Germinate from Seed |
What animals eat sweet peas?
Small animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and rabbits love to feast on pea plants. If you live in an area where these mammals are common, I would advise you to place a layer of bird mesh over your vegetation for protection.
What happens if you dont trellis peas?
Growing Peas Without a Trellis
If the vines tip over, they can easily break their stem causing them to wither and die or lay on the ground where mould and fungi thrive and rodents can easily reach the peas.
How tall do sweet peas get?
Most will grow to 5 or 6 feet, but there are shorter varieties “bush type” that are well-suited to containers. To extend the blooming season, choose a few different types.
What do sweet peas attract?
bees
Companions Sweet peas attract bees and butterflies into the garden. Like other pea family members, they fix nitrogen into the soil and so they benefit a wide range of vegetables such as brassicas, leafy greens like silverbeet and spinach and salads.
Should I remove sweet pea pods?
Once your sweet pea plants are in full flower make sure that you dead-head them and remove seed pods as soon as possible to encourage more blooms to be produced.
Do sweet peas survive winter?
Sweet peas are a hardy annual, which means they will tolerate cold, even a light frost below if freezing. They are tougher than they look and will take a regular frost down to around -4.
Do sweet peas reseed themselves?
Will sweet peas self-seed? Yes, in warmer climates. If you leave your sweet pea plants to turn to seed in fall, and allow those seed pods to pop open and disperse the seeds, it is absolutely possible for some to self-seed next year.
Does cutting sweet peas make them flower more?
As the flowers open keep cutting; this stimulates further flower production. Never leave seeds to develop on the plants. Remember that sweet peas are annuals.
What do you do with sweet peas when finished flowering?
Cut down your sweet peas when they finish flowering, but leave the roots in the ground as they have little nodules on them which will add nitrogen to your soil.
Should you remove sweet pea tendrils?
Remove the tendrils
The tendrils are used for climbing, and will wrap around anything for support. As we tie our sweet peas to canes, we remove the tendrils so they can’t wrap around the flower stems and bend them.
Do sweet peas bloom more than once?
These annuals bloom prolifically when the sun warms them, but with cool outdoor temperatures. Although the sweet pea blooming period is often dictated by its environment, you can use deadheading as a way to encourage even more blossoms during one season.
What month do sweet peas flower?
One of the never ending discussions in gardening is whether to sow sweet pea seed in autumn or wait until the spring. The point of autumn sowing is that it gives plants a head start, so you should have a strong plant by March, which delivers earlier flowers than a spring-sown pea.
Is it worth saving sweet pea seeds?
If you plan to grow sweet peas in the same garden spot again next year, you don’t have to go to the trouble of saving seeds. As the seed pods dry, they pop open and drop their seeds to the ground. Next year’s flowers will grow from these seeds.