Sweet peas have 110 species and belong to the pea-flower subfamily of the Fabaceae family.
What are the different types of sweet peas?
Classification of Sweet Pea Types
- Spencer Sweet Peas. The classic sweet pea descended from the sport of Henry Eckford’s Prima Donna which was named Countess Spencer.
- Grandiflora.
- Royal.
- Early Mulitflora Giganteas.
- Cuthbertson.
- Hammett Bi-colors and Shifters.
- Dwarfs.
- Semi-Dwarfs or Intermediates.
What is the best sweet pea variety?
Most Fragrant Sweet Peas
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Flora Norton’ (Sweet Pea)
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Gwendoline’ (Sweet Pea)
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lady Grisel Hamilton’ (Sweet Pea)
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Matucana’ (Sweet Pea)
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Mollie Rilstone’ (Sweet Pea)
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’ (Sweet Pea)
What is the strongest smelling sweet pea?
Said to be the most powerfully scented sweet pea available, ‘Matucana’ has small, but powerfully scented bi-coloured flowers. Not to be confused with the very similar (and equally fragrant) variety ‘Cupani’.
What Colours do sweet peas come in?
Sweet peas offer one of the widest color ranges in the plant kingdom, including crimson reds, navy blues, pastel lavenders, pinks, and the purest whites. These colors are found as solid colors, bicolors, and streaked or flaked flowers.
What are the sweetest garden peas?
The Dwarf Grey Sugar Pea Flower
Edible pod peas are very, very sweet. They are a great way to introduce children to vegetable gardening because often the pea pods are so sweet that they rival candy and can be eaten fresh off the vine.
Which sweet peas have the longest stems?
The most popular type of Sweet Peas and those more generally seen at shows are described as Spencer varieties. These are the ones with long stems and large,wavy flowers.
What month do you plant sweet peas?
when to plant sweet peas. Sow sweet pea seeds between October and April. For best results aim for late October/November or late February/March as temperatures and light levels are less than ideal in midwinter. Sweet peas can also be sown direct into the ground in April or May.
Do sweet peas grow back every year?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don’t let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius come back year after year, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from.
How long do sweet peas last in the garden?
Growing and planting Sweet Peas Is Easy and they are excellent cut flowers, the more you pick the more they’ll grow. There are two types of sweet pea. Annuals last for one season and everlasting perennial varieties return year after year, but are much less fragrant.
Why are my sweet peas not fragrant?
A: Sweet pea fragrance varies among the varieties. Some of the modern hybrids aren’t as fragrant as the older and Spencer varieties. Rain, high temperatures, time of day and the age of the flower also influence the fragrance.
What are the easiest peas to grow?
Pea ‘Avola’
‘Avola’ is hardy first early pea. It’s a compact variety, reaching just 60cm tall, so it’s ideal for growing in containers and small gardens, where it will yield impressive crops of tender pods containing up to eight sweet and succulent peas.
How often cut sweet peas?
Cut sweet pea flowers right after they open completely, or when they have at least two unopened flowers at the very tip, recommends Floret Flowers. The best time of day to cut is early in the morning, before sun and wind have a chance to dry the flowers, or late in the evening after they are rehydrated.
Why are my sweet peas all white?
This is powdery mildew, which can be a real problem with Sweet Peas, and probably, at some point, in the season they will become infected, it is almost inevitable.
Can you eat sweet peas raw?
Garden peas are sometimes called sweet peas or English peas. The pods are firm and rounded, but you must shell them, remove the peas inside, then discard the pods before eating. The peas are sweet and may be eaten raw or cooked; these are the peas you typically see canned or in the freezer section.
Which are the best sweet pea seeds?
Sweet peas are the classic annual climber and look just as lovely in pots as they do in a border. ‘Spencer Mix’ has large flowers and long stems, good for cutting, but ‘Cupani’ and ‘Painted Lady’ are particularly good as their short stems give good coverage of the support and they’re extremely fragrant.
What is the most common type of pea?
English pea
Peas (Pisum sativum) are a traditional home garden crop all over the world. The most common type in American gardens is the shelling pea, also called the “garden pea” or “English pea.” Edible pea pods include snow peas and sugar snap peas.
What are the best peas to eat raw?
Sugar snap and snow peas can be enjoyed raw as a nutritious and healthy snack — simply remove their hard outer string. Both can also be added to stir-fries or salads for an extra boost of sweetness.
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. If seeds develop they tell the plant that its work is done and the plant starts to die back.
Should you take the tendrils off sweet peas?
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.
Should you keep picking sweet peas?
Regular picking is essential to keeping them productive, too, so you’ll never be short of vase or two of scented blooms. When it comes to cutting them, the best time of day is first thing in the morning, or early evening, when the plants are least likely to be stressed and dehydrated.