FL3283A - Cuthbertson Blend
Lathyrus odoratus. The Cuthbertson Blend is a very highly scented mix of sweet peas in shades of pink, cream, white with picotee edging, and lavender. This variety of sweet pea seeds are a Spencer type - late blooming among sweet peas, but early among the Spencers. Bred for cut flowers, this fragrant variety will climb to 2m (6') on a trellis with no trouble at all. Be sure to pick off all the spent flowers as you see them, and any seed pods that might develop. This will keep the vines blooming over a much longer period. This variety was originally bred by Frank Cuthbertson of San Francisco for its superior bloom time and long cutting stems.
Annual
- Annual
- Very fragrant
- Grows to 1.8m (6') tall
- Easy to grow
- Full sun
Share this Product
How To Grow
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are an annual climbing plant which can grow to heights of 1–2 meters (six feet). Try to plant in areas with support available. The leaves twine around supporting plants and structures helping the sweet pea to climb. The flowers range with a variety of colours, in the many cultivars. They are are a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands. Annual flowers that are an unmistakable sign of early summer. It is easy to Grow sweet peas.
Latin
Lathyrus odoratus and others
Family: Fabaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 1-10
Timing
Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. On the coast this would mean sowing in the first half of February. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall wherever winters are mild.
Starting
Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C (55-65°F). Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
Growing
For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm (18″) deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm (6″) and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.