Grow a garden thats filled with the fragrance of Old Spice Sweet Peas, from freshly harvested Lathyrus odoratus seeds. Old Spice is an heirloom mixture of colorful and fragrant flowers, which are also heat resistant as well. The plants themselves reach a mature height of roughly 48 to 60 inches long. They form a vine like growth habit, displaying many green leaves and colorful flowers through the summer months. Old Spice mixture is comprised of red, pink, white, purple and cream colored blooms.
Old Spice Sweet Peas are categorized as an annual flowering plant. Annuals such as this will grow quickly from freshly harvested seeds. They produce leaves, vines and flowers all within a single season, and later wilt with the first frost. Seeds can be collected at the end of its lifecycle, for resowing the following season.
Old Spice will require a fence or trellis to support its vining growth habit. The plants will perform best in the warmth of late Spring to late Summer and enjoy an area of full sunlight. This variety is best suited directly outdoors, in the garden or in flower beds. They are not primarily grown in pots or containers.
Quick Facts
- Type: Flower
- Color: Mixture
- Height: 12″ to 18” Tall
- Width: 48″ to 60″ Spread
- Season: Annual
- Zones: 3 to 10
- Environment: Full sun
Sowing The Seed
Sweet Peas can be put through a scarification process, prior to sowing. This helps loosen the hard outer shell, allowing the seeds to absorb water directly. Start indoors 6 weeks prior to the last frost, or direct sow outdoors when the weather becomes mildly cool. If temperatures become too hot, you might want to consider sowing in an area that will receive some shade in the day.
Growing Conditions
In areas where temperatures remain cool, grow your Sweet Peas in full sunlight. As explained above, if temperatures are a bit high, sow them in a partially shaded area. Make sure that the soil is rich in organic matter and fertile, but also well drained. To improve drainage, we always recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily until germination occurs.
Germination & Growth
Sweet Pea seeds will typically germinate within 7 to 21 days after sowing. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 5 to 6 feet tall and form a vining growth habit. Old Spice mixture is a perfect choice for the flower garden and will produce beautiful pastel colors, which give off a faint, yet sweet scent. Sweet Peas attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies & bees.