“You can sow sweet peas direct into the ground in spring,” says supplier Roger Parsons, who holds the National Collection of Lathyrus, “but they are vulnerable to slugs and birds, so I prefer to start them in a cold glasshouse or cold frame. Avoid giving them extra heat. If they’re on a windowsill with limited sunlight, move them to a sunny spot outdoors as soon as they germinate.”
Vivid colours
There is a great choice of varieties that provide vivid colour, including reds, pinks, blues, purples and dark, smouldering clarets. The easy way to decide which to buy is to select the type of sweet pea you want. Spencers are loved by florists for their big flowers and long stems, Old-fashioned forms boast charm, flower power, weather resilience and scent but have short stems, while Grandifloras have a mix of Spencer and Old-fashioned characteristics.
Fabulous choices
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