2 years ago I was given the seeds of the perennial sweet pea ,I put them in pots and waited nothing happened so I gave up, I was so cheesed off I just left the pots in a corner outside,last year I tryed growing passion flowers from seed, the same thing nothing, then later that year a wee bit of green came through one of the wee pots and later another ,I had two at least,I planted them out against ; fencing and trellis but I soon realised they were not passion flowers but the perennial peas ,they are now in flower and look really good ,a bit of a thug but lovely so never say dead or die ;D
They have a very hard skin, so I suppose the extra rain this year has softened them. Some growers nick the skin before planting to help them along. They can stay dormant for years.
And once you've got them they are real stayers... they come up every year and give a good splash of colour even when other things struggle.
Now this is something that I would love. I had a neighbour many years ago whoa had a corner property and she had them growing on a net fence all the way round, they came up year after year and I always fancied them but never did it.
If I go shopping do they have a name or just perennial sweet peas.
XX Jeanninw
I have a love-hate relationship with my perennial sweet peas. They completely take over one corner of my garden every year, swamping everything else and growing up into my crab apple tree, no matter how much I try to reduce them by digging lots of roots out in the winter. As soon as they are finished I rip them all down, but they do produce masses of lovely colour which I pick for the house before anything else is flowering.
Unfortunately, they seem reluctant to root anywhere else. I got mine from my M-I-L in the first place and ever since she moved house i've been trying to give her some back without success. ??? They have nearly finished for this year, hastened by the rain.
Quote from: Jeannine on July 14, 2012, 21:48:56
Now this is something that I would love. I had a neighbour many years ago whoa had a corner property and she had them growing on a net fence all the way round, they came up year after year and I always fancied them but never did it.
If I go shopping do they have a name or just perennial sweet peas.
XX Jeanninw
This link might be of interest although it is for plants rather than seeds.
Perennial Sweet peas (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-plants/sweet-pea-plants/hardy-everlasting-sweet-pea-collection/p92794TM).
If mine were producing any I'd offer you some seeds but it's early days as they are still in their infancy and yet to flower this year.
Quote from: Jeannine on July 14, 2012, 21:48:56
Now this is something that I would love. I had a neighbour many years ago whoa had a corner property and she had them growing on a net fence all the way round, they came up year after year and I always fancied them but never did it.
If I go shopping do they have a name or just perennial sweet peas.
XX Jeanninw
I hope to get some seed Jeannine ,will let you know if I get some ,my friend has a very old one Ill ask for some from hers ;D
Quote from: claybasket on July 15, 2012, 08:56:21
Quote from: Jeannine on July 14, 2012, 21:48:56
Now this is something that I would love. I had a neighbour many years ago whoa had a corner property and she had them growing on a net fence all the way round, they came up year after year and I always fancied them but never did it.
If I go shopping do they have a name or just perennial sweet peas.
XX Jeanninw
I hope to get some seed Jeannine ,will let you know if I get some ,my friend has a very old one Ill ask for some from hers ;D
Brilliant!
You know you folks are so sweet, thank you and thankyou for the link which was great too.
They look so beautiful and I love them as cut flowers. I don`t do well with flowers usually although we do have a very pretty border of annuals thanks to Ninnyscrops giving me a push and we have put in a clematis. I thoyght if I could start a place for the sweet peas I wouldn`t be able to kill them off!!
XX Jeannine
They may be perennial but they are not scented like Sweet peas. Or least ways the ones which grow everywhere I don't want them in this garden ain't. They also come in two colours only, pink and white.
Lathyrus latifolius is the proper name by the way.
Quote from: Palustris on July 16, 2012, 17:46:09
They may be perennial but they are not scented like Sweet peas. Or least ways the ones which grow everywhere I don't want them in this garden ain't. They also come in two colours only, pink and white.
Lathyrus latifolius is the proper name by the way.
Link as posted on July 14th: Lathyrus latifolius or Perennial Sweet pea (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-plants/sweet-pea-plants/hardy-everlasting-sweet-pea-collection/p92794TM). They do not have a scent but they usually have a greater number of blooms per stem, need little to no attention and are back every year to brighten up an otherwise unused spot.
I agree - ordinary sweet peas take some beating but for something different or to grow up through existing shrubs they are worth a thought. I have some mingled in with a clematis (Montana) on a trellis / fence with a gate in the middle separating the veg plot from the main lawn. Looking good. ;)