Sweet Pea Flowers

The sweet pea flower is an annual, which means it blooms for one season only. It is a member of the pea family and boasts fragrant, colorful, butterfly shaped flowers. The sweat pea is a climbing herb with the official name of Lathyrus odoratus. It is native to Italy. The name "sweet pea" comes from "lathyros," which is the Greek term for "pea," and from "odoratus," which is Latin for "fragrant." Sweet peas are flowering vines, not to be confused with fruit-bearing pods that produce peas
Edible peas, including split peas, belong to the genus and species Pisum sativum. They are a green vegetable with small, round seeds that are eaten fresh or dried. Peas are a source of vitamins A and C, thiamine, folate, iron and phosphorus. Sweet peas are flowering ornamental vines that produce seedpods similar to those of edible peas, but both the flowers and seeds are poisonous. The botanical name for sweet peas is Lathyrus odoratus.

Features

• The sweat pea can grow up to 8 feet; patio varieties only climb up to 3 feet. The fragrance of a sweet pea can vary greatly, notes The Flower Expert. How the flowers smell depends on time of day, the age of the flower, how much rain it has received and high temperature. The leaves on the sweet pea consist of a terminal tendril and pinnate with two leaflets. Although a member of the pea family, the sweet pea is not edible; sweet pea seeds and flowers are poisonous.

History

• The history of the sweet pea maintains that a Sicilian monk named Franciscus Cupani have sent the original sweet pea flower seeds to England in the 17th century. The flower is characterized by its small, colorful blossoms and its sweet fragrance. Notable varieties include the Dorothy Eckford, the King Edward VII, which is scarlet, and the Countess Spencer.
• The current day sweet pea does not look like the original. A Scottish man named Harry Eckford crossbred the original, which resulted in the ornamental, sweetly scented and colorful plant that exists today, according to Teleflora. Sweet peas are considered the mark of Edwardian England. These flowers were quite popular in the late 1800s.

Traditionally, sweet pea flowers symbolize bliss or delicate pleasure and may also be used to indicate someone leaving after a positive experience. The sweet pea that is common today is actually a hybrid flower and looks very little like the original sweat pea first noted in Italy in the 17th century.

Nickname

• Some gardeners refer to the sweet pea as the "queen of annuals." Sweet peas are treasured because they are long lasting, colorful and fragrant.

Symbolism

• The sweet pea stands for blissful pleasure, according to Pinkie D'Cruz of Pinkie's Parlour, including pleasurable departure after having a good time. The sweet pea is the flower for the month of April. Some flower historians believe that the poet Keats was the first to use the name "sweet pea."

Legend

• Legend has it that sowing sweet pea seeds before sunrise on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) will result in more fragrant and larger flowers. Another legend is that sweat pea seeds should be sown between March 1 and March 2, which are the Feasts of Saints David and Chad, and March 21, which is the feast of Saint Benedict.

Growing Sweet Peas

• Grow sweet peas in full sun in well-drained, rich soil. Ideally, soak the seeds overnight before planting. Do not plant them deeply; 1 inch is enough. The seeds should be planted 3 to 4 inches apart. After the sweet pea has grown, deadhead the flowers on occasion to grow better. Leave a few flowers on the plant at the end of the growing season so the plant will reseed for the next year.
• The sweet pea flower is a climbing plant which grows from 3 to 4 feet high. In order to reach this height, the flower must have a means of support.
• Colors
  

  • Sweet peas come in a variety of colors, but the most common are pink and pale lavender. They may also be red, yellow, purple or white.
  • Because of their long-lasting blooms, sweet peas are a great addition to any floral bouquet. Their sweet fragrance and delicate blooms add a delicate yet fragrant touch to any area of your home.