Are Sweet Peas Perennials: Cultivation Tips and Benefits
Are Sweet Peas Perennials?
No, sweet peas are not perennials.
They only last for a year, dying after setting seed.
On the other hand, perennial peas, such as Lathyrus latifolius, come back year after year.
Key Points:
- Sweet peas are not perennials
- They only last for a year and die after setting seed
- Perennial peas, such as Lathyrus latifolius, come back year after year
- Sweet peas cannot survive for multiple years
- Sweet peas are short-lived plants
- Perennial peas are a separate type of plant that returns annually
Did You Know?
1. Sweet peas, scientifically known as Lathyrus odoratus, are often referred to as annuals due to their typical lifecycle; however, they can actually be grown as perennials in some climates with mild winters.
2. Sweet peas are not native to England, despite being strongly associated with English gardens. They were actually introduced to England from Sicily in the 17th century.
3. In the language of flowers, sweet peas symbolize delicate pleasure, blissful pleasure, or simply thank you. Different colors of sweet peas can have different symbolic meanings, such as pink representing romance and white representing purity.
4. Sweet peas belong to the same family (Fabaceae) as peas, beans, and legumes. While sweet peas are not edible, the seeds are highly toxic if ingested, so caution should be exercised, especially around children or pets.
5. The fragrance of sweet peas has long been treasured, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a “sweet pea cult” emerged in England. This cult involved various events, competitions, and exhibitions dedicated solely to growing and showing off the most fragrant and beautiful sweet peas.
Scent Differences: Sweet Peas Vs Perennial Peas
One of the most notable differences between sweet peas and perennial peas is their scent. Sweet peas are highly scented, emitting a delightful fragrance that can fill a garden with their intoxicating aroma. On the other hand, perennial peas, such as Lathyrus latifolius, are generally unscented, with the exception of Lord Anson’s blue pea. This distinct characteristic of sweet peas adds an additional layer of sensory pleasure to their cultivation, making them a popular choice for gardeners seeking both visual and olfactory beauty.
While perennial peas might lack the alluring fragrance commonly associated with sweet peas, they have their own unique qualities that make them equally appealing. Their foliage and flowers provide a charming aesthetic, with some strains offering hints of fragrance that, while not as potent as sweet peas, still bring joy to the garden.
- Sweet peas: highly scented, intoxicating aroma
- Perennial peas: generally unscented, except Lord Anson’s blue pea
- Sweet peas popular for visual and olfactory beauty
- Perennial peas offer charming aesthetic, some strains with subtle fragrance
Lifespan: Annual Sweet Peas Vs Perennial Peas
Understanding the lifespan of sweet peas and perennial peas is crucial for garden planning.
Sweet peas are annuals, completing their life cycle within a year. After setting seed, sweet peas will die, requiring gardeners to replant them each year. However, the advantage of sweet peas is that they are relatively easy to grow from seed, making them a convenient choice for gardeners looking to add bursts of color and fragrance to their gardens year after year.
On the other hand, perennial peas come back year after year. Species like Lathyrus latifolius have a longer lifespan, ensuring the continuance of their beauty in the garden. The ability to enjoy the same plants and their vibrant blooms without replanting each year is a significant benefit of perennial peas that many gardeners find appealing.
Benefits of Sweet Peas:
- Relatively easy to grow from seed
- Add bursts of color and fragrance to gardens
Benefits of Perennial Peas:
- Come back year after year
- Longer lifespan compared to sweet peas
- Sustained beauty and vibrant blooms without replanting each year
“The ability to enjoy the same plants and their vibrant blooms without replanting each year is a significant benefit of perennial peas that many gardeners find appealing.”
Color Variations: Sweet Peas And Perennial Peas
Both sweet peas and perennial peas offer a stunning array of colors to choose from, each adding a vibrant and captivating touch to any garden. Sweet peas are renowned for their wide range of colors, including bicolored forms that blend two hues seamlessly. The color palette of sweet peas encompasses various shades of pink, purple, red, white, and blue, creating a captivating kaleidoscope of blooms that can transform any space into a floral paradise.
While sweet peas dominate the market when it comes to diverse color variations, perennial peas also bring their own unique shades to the spectrum. Unusual colors such as yellow and orange can be found within certain perennial pea types, adding a pop of unexpected vibrancy to the garden.
By incorporating a mix of sweet peas and perennial peas, gardeners can create a captivating color palette that diversifies their outdoor space and enhances its visual appeal.
- Sweet peas offer a wide range of colors, including bicolored forms.
- The color palette of sweet peas encompasses shades of pink, purple, red, white, and blue.
- Perennial peas bring unique shades such as yellow and orange to the spectrum.
- Incorporating a mix of sweet peas and perennial peas creates a captivating color palette in the garden.
“Both sweet peas and perennial peas add a vibrant touch to any garden with their stunning array of colors.”
Growth And Support: Climbing Vs Clumping Lathyrus Plants
Most Lathyrus plants, including both sweet peas and perennial peas, are climbing plants that require some form of support as they grow. These plants possess tendrils that enable them to attach themselves to trellises, fences, or other structures, allowing them to reach new heights and create a stunning vertical display.
However, it is worth noting that there are also clumping forms of Lathyrus plants available, which can be used as ground cover or in containers. These clumping varieties do not possess the same climbing tendencies as their counterparts. Instead, they spread laterally, creating dense mats of foliage and blooms that add a unique touch to gardens and containers.
Seed Availability: Sweet Peas Vs Perennial Lathyrus Seeds
When it comes to acquiring seeds for sweet peas and perennial Lathyrus plants, the availability might vary slightly. Sweet pea seeds are readily available from online seed suppliers, as well as in most local garden centers. Gardeners looking to add these fragrant annuals to their collections will have little trouble finding a wide variety of sweet pea seed options.
On the other hand, perennial Lathyrus seeds may require a bit more effort to obtain. While some garden centers might carry these seeds, seed specialists or online sources dedicated to perennial plants are often the best bet for finding a diverse selection of perennial Lathyrus seeds. Alternatively, gardeners can choose to purchase Lathyrus plants as starter plants, providing an easier option for those who prefer not to start from seed.
Check this out:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sweet pea come back every year?
No, sweet peas do not come back every year. Unlike perennial species, sweet peas only live for a year and then die after setting seed. However, their short lifespan should not discourage you from growing them as they are incredibly easy to cultivate from seed. If you desire a fragrant and diverse selection, it would be more suitable to explore perennial species like Lathyrus latifolius, but keep in mind that they may not offer as many options as the sweet peas.
Is the sweet pea plant an annual or perennial?
2. Perennial sweet peas, on the other hand, have the ability to live for more than two years and can bloom season after season.
Which peas are perennial?
The perennial pea variety renowned for its beauty and long-lasting blooms is Lathyrus latifolius, also known as Everlasting Pea or Perennial Sweet Pea. This award-winning climbing perennial boasts striking racemes of vibrant rose to white pea-like flowers, each reaching 1 inch in diameter (2.5 cm). With its vigorous growth and stunning blooms, Lathyrus latifolius is an exceptional choice for those seeking a perennial pea that will grace their garden year after year.
Do sweet peas grow back after cutting?
Yes, sweet peas are known for their ability to regenerate and grow back after being cut. By taking a 5-inch cutting from each plant, the plants will quickly develop new side shoots to replace the ones that were removed. This regenerative quality of sweet peas allows for continuous growth and blooming throughout the season.