Description
Lathyrus odoratus | Sweet Pea ‘Gwendoline’
Sweet Pea ‘Gwendoline’ is a modern, large-flowered Spencer-type sweet pea introduced to the market in 1999 by the breeder, Unwins. It’s an annual climbing vine with beautiful ruffled cerise-pink and white petals with wings pleated neatly and fading white at the center. The subtle variations in petal color becomes more prominent as the flowers age. The stems are ‘winged’ and clad with light green leaflets in pairs. The stems end in tendrils which enable the plants to grab and climb. To add even more appeal, the blooms release a strong and captivating fragrance that’s sure to bring pleasure and delight, especially for those who’ve never smelled a Sweet Pea before!
Lathyrus odoratus enjoy getting established while the soil is still cool and are quite frost tolerant, so no worries about them surviving on the beginning or tail end of the seasons. In the warmest planting zones, Sweet Pea can even be planted in the fall for winter blooms. Otherwise, start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost to give them a good start before planting outside.
The vines require support to climb, like a chain link fence, plant tower, trellis netting, etc. They thrive in bright, sunny areas in well-drained soil on balconies, terraces, containers and garden beds. Stunning, very reliable and rightly popular
The strong stems last a good while in a vase. They’re great for wedding bouquets and easy for beginners.
For the highest germination percentage it is recommended to nick or scarify the seeds before sowing them using a nail clipper or Fiskars scissors (which breaks the outer seed coat) and then soak them overnight in warm water. However, soaking in water without nicking is often enough. Sow seed a little deeper than the seed is tall.
Received the Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit in 1998
Please note: Unlike garden peas, sweet pea seeds should NOT be ingested. Use caution around children and pets.
Type: Hardy annual
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 6-8 ft
Mature width: 2 ft
Hardiness zones: 10-11
