Lathyrus odoratus 'Blue Velvet'
sweet pea seed
Large, well-ruffled blooms in a rich, deep blue-purple shade, carried on long, straight stems ideal for cutting. Highly scented, this sweet pea fills the summer garden with fragrance from early summer into autumn. Regular picking encourages more flowers and prolongs the display.
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Blue Velvet’ is a Spencer-type sweet pea, known for its exhibition-quality blooms and excellent vase life. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and benefits from regular watering in dry spells. A favourite with pollinators, this enduring and time-tested cultivated variety from the 1970s brings both colour and scent to borders, cutting gardens, and containers.
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Blue Velvet’ is a Spencer-type sweet pea, known for its exhibition-quality blooms and excellent vase life. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and benefits from regular watering in dry spells. A favourite with pollinators, this enduring and time-tested cultivated variety from the 1970s brings both colour and scent to borders, cutting gardens, and containers.
How to care for Lathyrus odoratus Blue Velvet:
After the risk of frost has passed, and before spring planting our 9cm sweet peas, incorporate lots of well-rotted organic matter in the planting area and backfill. Once planted out, keep sweet peas well-watered, especially during dry spells, as they dislike drying out. Tie in the stems regularly to their supports to keep them upright and prevent tangling. Feed every couple of weeks with a high-potash fertiliser once flowering starts to encourage continuous blooms.
Remove faded flowers promptly to prevent seed pods forming, as this will prolong flowering. Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids and treat early to prevent damage. Regular picking not only keeps the display going but also provides plenty of blooms for the house.
Remove faded flowers promptly to prevent seed pods forming, as this will prolong flowering. Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids and treat early to prevent damage. Regular picking not only keeps the display going but also provides plenty of blooms for the house.
Sowing instructions:
From October to late February, sow seeds into deep pots or root trainers filled with a good-quality seed compost and place them in a cold frame. Pinch out the tips as the plants grow to encourage them to become bushier and produce more flowers, and harden off before planting out in early April.
Direct sowing can also be made in October, where plants will be more advanced for the following year, or March-April. It is important to remove the faded flowers before they set seed, so picking them to fill a vase inside will only encourage more to form.
Direct sowing can also be made in October, where plants will be more advanced for the following year, or March-April. It is important to remove the faded flowers before they set seed, so picking them to fill a vase inside will only encourage more to form.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1.8m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Frost tender
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Humans/Pets: Pods and seeds are not edible
9cm pot | 5 - 7 seedlings
£7.99
available to order from late spring
Unavailable
approx 20 seeds
£2.99
available to order from autumn
Unavailable
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