Fragrant, vibrant, and steeped in history - sweet peas are making a comeback as the must-have bloom for any avid gardener. What was once a beloved flower of our grandparents' era is now captivating a new generation with its old-world charm and versatility. But growing these heirloom beauties isn't as straightforward as it may seem. As the Old Farmer's Almanac recently detailed, there's an art to cultivating sweet peas that yield the most lush, fragrant flowers. What this really means is that gardeners need to pay close attention to the unique planting and care requirements of this sentimental favorite.
A Brief History of Sweet Peas
The sweet pea's journey to popularity is a fascinating one. First introduced to Britain in 1699 by a Sicilian monk, these flowers quickly captured the hearts of Victorian-era gardeners and became a staple of cutting gardens across the UK and North America. As Garden Design reports, California growers like W. Atlee Burpee even began shipping trainloads of sweet peas across the country by the late 1800s, further fueling the flower's rise to prominence.
The bigger picture here is that sweet peas have long been beloved for their intoxicating fragrance and delicate, jewel-toned blooms - traits that have endeared them to generations of gardeners. But as BBC Gardeners' World Magazine explains, breeders have increasingly prioritized showy flowers over scent in recent years, leaving many modern sweet pea varieties lacking in the signature aroma that made them so special. That's why savvy gardeners are now rediscovering the joys of growing old-fashioned, fragrant sweet peas.
Planting and Caring for Sweet Peas
When it comes to sweet pea cultivation, timing is everything. As the Almanac guide outlines, these cool-weather lovers need to be planted in late winter or very early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Sowing the large, pea-like seeds too late in the season means missing out on their prime blooming period, which typically runs from spring through early summer.
But the planting process doesn't end there. Sweet peas also require a bit of extra care and attention to truly thrive. Gardeners should be sure to provide them with a sunny, well-drained location and nutrient-rich soil amended with compost. Regular watering and staking or trellising are also musts, as is deadheading spent blooms to encourage more flowers. And of course, it's crucial to keep sweet peas far away from any edible pea plants, as all parts of the sweet pea are toxic if consumed.
With the right growing conditions and a little TLC, however, sweet peas can reward gardeners with an abundance of fragrant, jewel-toned blooms that are perfect for cutting and displaying indoors. As recent analysis has shown, these heirloom flowers are making a major comeback - and for good reason.