#Sweet pea plugs near me trial#

The main effect is thought to be on the formation of collagen. In studies of rats, animals fed a diet of 50% sweet pea seeds developed enlarged adrenals relative to control animals fed on edible peas. A related species, Lathyrus sativus, is grown for human consumption but when it forms a major part of the diet it causes symptoms of toxicity called lathyrism. Unlike the edible pea, there is evidence that seeds of members of the genus Lathyrus are toxic if ingested in quantity. Because of this, growers are encouraged to plant sweet peas away from fruit trees among other plants prone to early dieback or senescence. The sweet pea is also susceptible to ethylene in quantities produced by senescing plants. Another problem is powdery mildew this is a white powdery coating that covers the leaves and slows down growth, and can be caused when sweet peas are planted too close to each other, sucking nutrients from the plants and stunting their growth. Other pests include caterpillars, thrips, slugs and snails. Ī pest called the pollen beetle, which is small, shiny and black, eats the pollen and disfigures the flowers. Mosaic virus is spread by greenfly, causing yellowing of leaves, distortion of new shoots, and inhibited flowering. These insects suck the sap out of the plants, reducing growth. The sweet pea plant suffers from some pests, the most common being aphids. Over 50 cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Plants typically reach heights of 1–2 metres (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in), with the flowers appearing in midsummer and continuing for many weeks if regularly deadheaded. They are grown up canes, with the new shoots being regularly pinched out to promote a bushy habit and higher flower yields. The plants are also available later in the season, as young plants or plugs. The seeds benefit from pre-soaking or chipping with a sharp blade. The large, pea-shaped seeds are sown in cold frames in Spring or Autumn.

They are grown by gardeners for private enjoyment or for exhibition, and in the floristry trade. They are grown for their flower colour (usually in pastel shades of blue, pink, purple and white, including bi-colours), and for their intense unique fragrance. Sweet peas have been cultivated since the 17th century and a vast number of cultivars are commercially available. There is also a cultivar 'Dorothy Eckford', named after a family member.Ĭultivation A bed of sweet peas climbing up a frame Many of the street signs now carry a sweet-pea motif, and an area of the town is known as Eckford Park. In the late 1980s, the Sweet Pea Society of Wem started an annual show. More recently, the association between the sweet pea, the Eckfords and Wem has been highlighted again. He died in 1906, but his work was continued for a time by his son John Eckford. Eckford was presented with the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour for his work. By 1901, he had introduced a total of 115 of the 264 cultivars grown at the time.

#Sweet pea plugs near me trial#

In 1888 he set up his development and trial fields for sweet peas in Wem in Shropshire. A member of the Royal Horticultural Society, he was awarded a First Class Certificate (the top award) in 1882 for introducing the sweet pea cultivar 'Bronze Prince', marking the start of association with the flower. His initial success and recognition came while serving as head gardener for the Earl of Radnor, raising new cultivars of pelargoniums and dahlias. Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford (1823–1905) cross-bred and developed the sweet pea, turning it from a rather insignificant if sweetly scented flower into a floral sensation of the 19th century. odoratus, may be confused with the everlasting pea, L. In the wild plant the flowers are purple, 2–3.5 cm ( 3⁄ 4– 1 + 1⁄ 2 in) broad they are larger and highly variable in color in the many cultivars. The leaves are pinnate with two leaflets and a terminal tendril, which twines around supporting plants and structures, helping the sweet pea to climb. It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of 1–2 metres (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in), where suitable support is available. The sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, is a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae ( legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands.