Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Alan Titchmarsh'
ABOUT
The plant named after the renowned horticulturist, Alan Titchmarsh, is a variety of sweet pea. This particular cultivar is admired for its beautiful flowers and delightful fragrance. The sweet pea "Alan Titchmarsh" is characterized by its striking blossoms that come in a stunning shade of lavender-blue. The petals are known for their gentle, ruffled look, giving them a soft, romantic appearance that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. Each flower flaunts an attractive form with a typical sweet pea structure, having both large banner petals at the back and smaller wing petals that form a delicate contrast. The blooms grow in clusters, creating a sumptuous display of color that can catch the eye from a distance. These flowers exude an intense, sweet fragrance that can drift throughout a garden, especially on warm days, and their scent is often described as one of the defining features of the plant. The foliage of the Alan Titchmarsh sweet pea consists of slender, green leaflets that have a slightly vining or climbing habit, which means the plant is often found growing upward with the help of supports. These leaflets emerge on thin, yet sturdy stems that help support the weight of the blooms. The bloom season usually spans the cooler months, offering gardeners a prolonged period of color and fragrance. Collectively, the combination of vivid blossoms, lovely fragrance, and graceful foliage makes the "Alan Titchmarsh" sweet pea an enchanting choice for anyone looking to enhance their garden's aesthetic and olfactory appeal.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Garden Pea, Eternal Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus 'Alan Titchmarsh') seeds contain a toxin known as aminopropionitrile, which can cause lathyrism when ingested in large quantities. Lathyrism is a condition that may lead to paralysis and muscle wasting. The symptoms of sweet pea poisoning in humans may include weakness, lethargy, and potentially, if large quantities are consumed, neurological issues.
To pets
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus 'Alan Titchmarsh') is also toxic to pets, particularly dogs and cats. If pets ingest sweet pea seeds, they could suffer from lathyrism, which can cause symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and lethargy. In severe cases, it can result in paralysis or convulsions. Pet owners should prevent their animals from accessing and eating parts of this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
varies
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and visual interest to gardens with its brightly colored flowers.
- Fragrance: The Sweet Pea 'Alan Titchmarsh' produces a sweet fragrance that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or indoor space.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees and butterflies, which are important for pollinating other plants in the garden.
- Vertical Interest: Can climb up trellises, arbors, and fences, providing vertical dimension and variety in landscape design.
- Cutting Garden Plant: Suitable for cutting gardens, as the flowers make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
- Seasonal Screen: Can be used to create a temporary green screen or living privacy barrier during its growing season.
- Ease of Growth: Generally easy to grow and care for, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels.
- Seasonal Color: Offers a burst of color from late spring to early summer when many other plants are not yet in full bloom.
- Variety of Colors: Comes in a range of colors, offering flexibility in garden design and color theming.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cut Flowers: Sweet pea 'Alan Titchmarsh' is widely used for its fragrant and attractive flowers, which are ideal for creating bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Educational Tool: Due to its easy cultivation, the Sweet pea can be used in educational settings to teach children about plant growth and biology.
- Companion Planting: Sweet peas can be grown alongside vegetables in a garden to attract pollinators, thereby increasing the yield of vegetables and fruits.
- Natural Dye: The petals of Sweet pea can be used to create natural dyes for fabric or artwork, providing a range of colors from the different flower shades.
- Garden Structures: Sweet peas are often used to create living garden structures by training the vines over trellises, arbors, and pergolas.
- Memory Plant: Sweet pea can be used in memory gardens or in commemorations because they are often associated with fond memories and have a nostalgic appeal.
- Wedding Decor: Due to their delicate appearance and scent, Sweet peas are incorporated into wedding decor, especially in rustic or garden-themed weddings.
- Fragrance Production: The scent extracted from Sweet peas can be used in the production of perfumes and scented products.
- Crafting: Dried Sweet pea pods and flowers can be used in various craft projects such as creating potpourri or decorative items.
- Photoshoots: With their vibrant colors and appeal, Sweet peas serve as an excellent backdrop for photography, including fashion, product, or lifestyle photoshoots.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Pleasant Scent: The common name for Lathyrus odoratus is Sweet Pea. This variety, 'Alan Titchmarsh', like other sweet peas, is known for its delightful fragrance, symbolizing pleasure and the enjoyment of senses.
- Goodbye: Sweet peas carry the symbolic meaning of departure or saying goodbye possibly because they are often given to someone who is leaving as a way of wishing them a fond farewell and good luck.
- Blissful Pleasure: The sweet pea also represents blissful pleasure, perhaps due to its intoxicating scent and the joy it brings to those who encounter its blooms.
- Thank You: A bouquet of sweet peas can symbolize gratitude. Gifting sweet peas may convey thanks for a lovely time or for something special someone has done.
- Delicate or Blissful Pleasure: The delicate and colorful petals of the sweet pea, along with their scent, can represent delicate pleasure or enjoyment, indicating a nuanced or refined appreciation of beauty.
WaterSweet peas require consistent moisture, especially during their active growing season. Water deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per square yard of soil, ensuring the water penetrates the root zone. During periods of high heat or dry conditions, increase watering to twice a week. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, focusing the water at the base of the plant instead. It's essential to maintain even soil moisture but avoid waterlogging, as sweet peas dislike having soggy feet.
LightSweet peas thrive in full sun, where they receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for 'Alan Titchmarsh' sweet peas would be an open area away from taller plants that might create shade. However, in regions with very hot summers, some afternoon shade can help protect them from scorching.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer cool to moderate temperatures and can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 20°F before they risk damage. They thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 65°F, which is ideal for vigorous growth and bloom production. Excessive heat, especially temperatures consistently above 80°F, can lead to decreased flowering and potential stress to the plants.
PruningPruning sweet peas encourages bushier growth and more flowers. Regularly deadhead spent blooms or cut flowers for arrangements to promote continuous blooming. Prune sweet peas by snipping just above a set of leaves to encourage branching. The best time to start pruning is when plants are young and about 6 inches tall.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet pea 'Alan Titchmarsh' prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. A mix of loam, compost, and perlite or sand will ensure adequate nutrition and drainage.
RepottingSweet pea 'Alan Titchmarsh' does not typically require repotting as it is an annual plant; sow new seeds each year in early spring directly in the garden or in containers.
Humidity & MistingSweet pea 'Alan Titchmarsh' enjoys moderate humidity but is adaptable to various humidity levels as long as the soil moisture is well-regulated.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist for indoor sweet pea growth.
Outdoor
Sow in fertile soil, full sun, and provide a trellis for support outside.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleLathyrus odoratus 'Alan Titchmarsh', commonly known as Sweet Pea, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which takes place in early spring, or even late winter if indoors. Once the seeds sprout, seedlings establish and grow rapidly, developing climbing tendrils and compound leaves. As a flowering annual, it progresses to the vegetative stage, where it puts on more foliage and height in preparation for blooming. The flowering stage follows, typically starting in late spring or early summer, where Sweet Pea produces fragrant, colorful flowers that are often used for cutting and display. After pollination, often by bees, the plant produces seed pods which mature by late summer. The lifecycle concludes when the plant senesces and dies after seed dispersal, being an annual, and relies on the collected or self-disseminated seeds for the next generation.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The sweet pea variety 'Alan Titchmarsh' is commonly propagated through seeds. The best time to sow sweet pea seeds is in late winter or early spring, to allow for a long flowering period. To propagate, seeds are typically planted about 1 inch deep into well-draining soil and spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation. It's beneficial to nick the seed coat with a small file or soak the seeds overnight in water to aid in germination. Seeds usually germinate within 7 to 15 days when kept at around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Celsius). Once sprouted, seedlings require support for climbing and should be hardened off before being transplanted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
