Blooming Sweet Pea Vines

Habit

• Habit refers to the shape of a sweet pea plant. Vine-type sweet peas range from 6 to 10 feet tall, depending on conditions. These plants require support in the form of a trellis or fence. Bush-type sweet peas, on the other hand, grow to a height of only a couple of feet. Some require light support, while others require no support. Finally, non-tendril sweet peas are vine-type plants bred to grow extra leaves in place of the usual climbing tendrils. Non-tendril sweet peas are used as a bedding plant.

Flower Types

• The original Sicilian sweet pea had a purple top petal and dark blue winged petals below. For almost 200 years, there were six colors available, but today, gardeners can choose from many shades ranging from crimson to blue to white. The blooms also come in different shapes: single, semi-double or double. A mutation discovered in 1901 produced ruffled top petals with longer, showy lower petals. This variation was refined on the estate of the Earl of Spencer and is still popular in Europe.

Fragrance

• Fragrance varies widely among and even within sweet pea varieties. The old heirloom varieties, while less flamboyant in flower structure, are generally more fragrant than newer varieties. Eckford genetic lines are the sweetest smelling, and are available under the names "Perfume Delight" and "Old Spice Mix." "High scent," "Renaissance" and "April in Paris" varieties are also good choices for fragrance. The scent of sweet pea flowers may fluctuate under different environmental conditions such as rain and heat.

Short Day vs. Long Day

• Sweet peas are known for their long blooming season. The species naturally begins the blooming cycle after the spring equinox, when days are lengthening. This condition, called long-day flowering, occurs in most sweet pea varieties. Selective breeding has developed a few short-day flowering cultivars that bloom when the days get shorter in the fall, however. These varieties, such as the "Elegance" series, are appropriate for autumn planting in the southern United States.