Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Aunt Jane'
ABOUT
Sweet pea 'Aunt Jane' is a captivating flowering plant known for its showy and fragrantly scented blooms. The flowers of 'Aunt Jane' come in a charming bi-color pattern, often with a soft pastel tone matched with a deeper, contrasting hue. Typical color combinations may consist of creamy shades that beautifully offset by purples or pinks, creating an alluring visual display. The blooms of this plant are characterized by their large, ruffled petals that form a classic butterfly shape, which is typical of many sweet peas. Each flower comprises five petals; a broad standard or banner petal at the back, two wing petals on the sides, and a smaller keel made of two fused petals at the front. These flowers grace the plant in clusters, providing a bountiful look that adds to its ornamental charm. The foliage of sweet pea 'Aunt Jane' consists of delicate, green leaflets that are slender and pointed, giving the plant a feathery appearance. The leaves grow out of thin, climbing stems, which often twine around supports and give the plant its vining habit. The tendrils at the tips of the stems help it climb on trellises, fences, or other structures, hinting at the versatility of the plant in a garden setting. Despite the absence of size-related descriptors, it's clear that sweet pea 'Aunt Jane' is a plant that is cherished for its decorative flowers, enchanting fragrance, and the soft, climbing nature of its foliage, making it a prized addition to many gardens for its aesthetic qualities.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Peavine
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, specifically Lathyrus odoratus 'Aunt Jane', is ornamental and known for its fragrant flowers, but it can be toxic if ingested. The seeds and seed pods are the most toxic parts of the plant. Consuming sweet pea in significant amounts can lead to a condition known as lathyrism. Symptoms of lathyrism can include paralysis, labored breathing, convulsions, and potentially fatal central nervous system damage. However, casual contact or handling the plant is usually not harmful.
To pets
Sweet pea, specifically Lathyrus odoratus 'Aunt Jane', may be toxic to pets, including cats and dogs, if ingested. The seeds and seed pods contain the highest concentration of toxic amino acids that can cause lathyrism in animals. Symptoms of poisoning can include lethargy, pacing, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, potentially fatal neurological damage. It's important to prevent pets from consuming any part of the sweet pea plant to avoid toxicity.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Sweet Pea 'Aunt Jane' offers a range of beautiful pastel colors, making it an attractive addition to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: Sweet Peas are well-known for their delightful fragrance, which can add a pleasant scent to outdoor spaces or cut flower arrangements indoors.
- Cutting Garden Plant: Sweet Peas produce long stems that are ideal for cut flower arrangements, allowing you to bring their beauty and fragrance indoors.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, promoting pollination in the garden.
- Climbing Nature: As a climbing plant, Sweet Peas can be used to cover trellises, fences, and other structures, providing vertical interest in garden design.
- Easy to Grow: They are relatively easy to cultivate, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners or those looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Variety of Uses: Beyond their use in gardens, Sweet Peas are also popular in wedding bouquets and floral decor due to their beauty and scent.
- Seasonal Color: Sweet Peas bloom in the spring and into early summer, filling the gap between early spring bulbs and summer annuals.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Educational purposes: Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as Sweet Pea, can be used in schools and educational programs to teach students about plant biology, hybridization, and genetics due to its ease of cultivation and variety of colors.
- Photography subject: With its beautiful and intricate flowers, Sweet Pea can serve as an excellent subject for photographers, especially those specializing in botanic and nature photography.
- Natural dye: The pigments in Sweet Pea petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yarns, or even in art projects.
- Companion planting: Sweet Pea can be planted alongside vegetables and other flowers as a companion plant to improve growth, as they can help to repel certain pests.
- Decorative crafts: Dried Sweet Pea flowers can be incorporated into decorative crafts like wreaths, potpourri, or dried flower arrangements.
- Biodegradable confetti: When dried, the petals of the Sweet Pea flower can be crumbled and used as a natural, biodegradable confetti for celebrations.
- Wedding decor: Due to their romantic appearance and fragrance, Sweet Peas are often used in wedding bouquets and decorations to add a touch of elegance.
- Fragrance sourcing: The scent of Sweet Peas can be captured in essential oils or perfumes, providing a natural fragrance source for the cosmetic industry.
- Journaling and scrapbooking: Preserved Sweet Pea flowers can be used to decorate journals and scrapbooks, providing a unique and personal touch.
- Floral art: Sweet Pea petals and stems can be used in floral art and design, such as making flower mandalas or botanical collages.
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- Blissful Pleasure: In the language of flowers, Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as Sweet Pea, often symbolizes pleasure or the blissful satisfaction derived from enjoying beauty, reflecting its delightfully fragrant and attractive blooms.
- Goodbye: Sweet Pea can signify departure or a wish for a fond farewell. It might be used when someone is leaving on a journey or expressing a goodbye that is imbued with good memories and sentiments.
- Gratitude: The flower is also associated with thankfulness, often given to show appreciation for someone's kindness or to acknowledge a person's impact in the giver's life.
- Delicate Pleasure: The delicate, sweet-smelling flowers of the Sweet Pea convey the fragile, fleeting pleasures that are to be cherished and savored, often reminiscent of precious moments or tender feelings.
WaterSweet peas, like 'Aunt Jane', prefer to be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root development. Water them with about 1 gallon of water per week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot spells or in particularly dry climates, you may need to water twice a week, while in cooler, wetter conditions, watering might be needed less often. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, and instead water at the base of the plant early in the morning to allow foliage to dry out over the course of the day.
LightSweet peas thrive in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. They should be planted in a spot where they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Full morning sun with some afternoon shade is ideal, as this will protect them from the hottest part of the day in warmer climates.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and grow best within a range of 55°F to 65°F. They can handle short periods of frost and will survive minimum temperatures down to 25°F, but prolonged exposure below this can be damaging. They will start to suffer when temperatures consistently exceed 65°F, which often limits their blooming season as summer heat sets in.
PruningPruning sweet peas encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to prevent the plants from going to seed, which prolongs the blooming period. You should also pinch out the dominant growing tips when plants are 4 to 8 inches tall to encourage lateral growth. The best time for pruning and deadheading is when the plants are dry to avoid spreading any diseases.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet pea 'Aunt Jane' thrives best in well-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. A slightly alkaline to neutral pH between 7.0 and 7.5 is most conducive for growth. The best soil mixture can be made by combining two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part perlite or sand to improve drainage.
RepottingSweet peas, including 'Aunt Jane,' are typically not repotted as they are annual plants. They are sown directly where they are to flower and do not require repotting. Plant them in fresh soil at the start of each growing season.
Humidity & MistingSweet pea 'Aunt Jane' prefers moderate humidity levels. While they can tolerate a range of humidity conditions in outdoor environments, avoid excessively dry or humid conditions. The ideal humidity range is between 40-60%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright, indirect light and cool conditions.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil and full sun.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Sweet Pea 'Aunt Jane' begins with seed germination, which is initiated by planting the seeds in well-drained soil under full sun to partial shade, with a temperature around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Once germinated, the seedlings quickly develop into climbing vines, reaching for support as the leaves and stems grow. As the plant matures, it produces distinctive, fragrant flowers, which typically bloom in late spring to early summer, with a range of colors depending on the cultivar. After pollination, often by bees, the flowers develop into seed pods, and once these pods dry out, they burst open to disperse seeds. The plant goes through a period of senescence in late summer or early fall as it completes its annual life cycle, dying after setting seeds. Gardeners may collect seeds at the end of the season for replanting next year or allow the plant to self-sow if the conditions are favorable.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as sweet pea 'Aunt Jane', is most commonly propagated through seeds. The ideal time for sowing sweet pea seeds is in late winter to early spring, though in warmer climates, seeds can be sown in fall. The most popular method involves soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat, which enhances germination rates. After soaking, the seeds are sown at a depth of 1 inch (2.54 cm) into well-draining soil and spaced about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) apart. Providing consistent moisture and ensuring the soil temperature is around 55-65°F (13-18°C) will encourage successful germination. Once the seedlings develop their true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final growing location.
