Imagine having your little corner of paradise with sweet peas.  Effortlessly charming with their vibrant colors and intoxicating scents. Whether you’re nurturing them in pots or letting them climb up a rustic frame in your garden, they bring an enchanting touch to any space.

You’re lounging in your favorite spot in the garden, and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of your blooming sweet peas. It’s like a natural aromatherapy session, soothing your senses as you unwind. And when you decide to pluck a few for a vase indoors, their fragrance fills the room, spreading joy and freshness wherever they go.

With sweet peas, it’s not just about growing flowers; it’s about creating moments of pure delight and serenity, both outdoors and indoors.

How to grow sweet peas at home

For the best results, you can sow sweet pea seeds either in autumn or spring, depending on your preference. Once your plants reach about 10cm in height, it’s time for a little pruning – just pinch out the tips to promote bushier growth. When mid-spring rolls around, it’s safe to transplant them into your garden beds, making sure to keep them well-watered throughout their growth.

Sweet peas are pretty independent climbers, thanks to their tendrils, but some might need a bit of help staying put, so don’t hesitate to give them a gentle tie-up if necessary.

Once those beautiful flower buds start to appear, it’s feeding time! Treat them to a high-potash fertilizer, like the kind you’d use for tomatoes. And here’s a tip to keep those blooms coming: make sure to pick them regularly for your vase. Not only will this give you a constant supply of fragrant flowers, but it’ll also encourage your sweet peas to produce even more blooms. Happy growing!

Where to grow sweet peas

Find a sunny spot in your garden with open space, perfect for your sweet peas to soak up the sunlight. Make sure the soil is well-drained but still able to retain moisture – sweet peas love a bit of hydration.

If you’re opting for pots, that’s great too! Just ensure you’re using quality, peat-free compost mixed with a slow-release fertilizer. This blend will provide your sweet peas with the nutrients they need to thrive and flourish in their container home.

How to sow sweet peas

Growing sweet peas from seed is a breeze, whether you start in autumn or spring. If you opt for autumn planting, just make sure you have a cozy spot to shelter them from frost until spring arrives.

Seeds of sweet peas are eager to sprout, but you can give them a little boost by gently nicking the seed coat with a knife, being careful to avoid the ‘eye’ area. Then, it’s time to sow them. You can either plant them in 9cm pots, three seeds per pot, or in root trainers or trays. Use high-quality, peat-free compost for the best results, and place your seeds in a cold frame or greenhouse to provide them with the ideal environment for germination. Before you know it, you’ll have delightful sweet peas ready to adorn your garden with their beauty and fragrance.

Planting out sweet peas

In late May, when the threat of frost has passed, it’s time to introduce your sweet peas to their outdoor home. But before planting them directly into the soil, it’s important to toughen them up a bit. Spend some time each day gradually acclimating them to the outdoor conditions by placing them outside during the day and bringing them back indoors at night to shield them from any lingering frost.

Once your sweet peas are hardened off, it’s time to plant them out. If you prefer not to start from seeds, you can always purchase sweet pea plug plants in spring. Plant them in rich, fertile soil near a sturdy support structure, like a bamboo cane wigwam, as most sweet peas will reach about 2 meters in height. Water them in generously until they establish good growth.

When it comes to spacing, you can plant sweet pea plugs or pots approximately 20cm apart, without worrying about separating individual plants. This setup ensures they have enough room to grow and climb while creating a beautiful display of cascading blooms.

How to care for sweet peas

Sweet peas require training up a suitable support and can be grown as cordons.

Tying in sweet peas

Can I save my leggy sweet peas?

In hot, sunny weather, the soil around plants can become especially parched, and for sweet peas, can cause them to drop their flowers. Take a look at this Quick Tips video with Catherine Mansley, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, as she offers advice on how to both treat and prevent this problem.

Advice on buying sweet peas

When it comes to buying sweet peas, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you get the most out of your gardening experience:

1. Fragrance: Keep in mind that not all sweet peas are created equal in terms of fragrance. If scent is a priority for you, be sure to check the variety descriptions to ensure you choose ones known for their delightful aroma.

2. Color Variety: to create stunning posies and bouquets, consider purchasing a mix of sweet pea colors. Mixing different hues together can result in eye-catching arrangements that brighten up any space.

3. Height and Spread: Before making your purchase, take note of the height and spread specifications for the sweet pea varieties you’re interested in. This information will help you plan out your garden space effectively and determine the appropriate support structures needed for optimal growth.

4. Where to Buy: You can find sweet pea seeds and plants at various garden centers, nurseries, and online retailers. Consider shopping around to find the best selection and quality that suits your preferences.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to select the perfect sweet pea varieties for your garden and enjoy a bountiful harvest of beautiful blooms.

Great sweet pea varieties to grow

• Lathyrus vernus ‘Alboroseus’ – a hardy perennial bush-forming sweet pea that has tiny pink and white flowers in April. Reaches 35cm in height and spread
• Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’ – perennial climber with pure-white flowers from June to late August. Reaches a height of 2m
• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Matucana’ – hardy annual that is hugely popular and fondly known as the old-fashioned sweet pea. It has scented two-tone purple flowers in summer and is ideal for picking
• Lathyrys odoratus ‘Lipstick’ (pictured) – a wavy-edged, Spencer type with good scent
• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lord Nelson’ – hardy annual grown for picking. Blue flowers with a highly rated scent in summer. Plants reach 2m
• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’ – hardy annual grown for picking. Bi-coloured blooms of pale and dark pink. Highly scented old-fashioned type. Great for early flowers