Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' Lathyrus odoratus 'Bounce Mid Blue'
ABOUT
'Bounce Mid Blue' is a dwarf, hardy annual cultivar that forms hummocks 30-60cm in height. It bears flowers in lavender shades
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Annual Sweet Pea, Garden Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.30 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The plant produces beautiful mid-blue flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: As suggested by the name "odoratus," it emits a pleasant fragrance, contributing to a sensory garden experience.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems and pollination.
- Vertical Interest: It is a climbing plant, which adds vertical interest to gardens and can be used to cover trellises and fences.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are suitable for cutting and making bouquets, adding a natural touch to home decor.
- Easy to Grow: It is generally easy to cultivate and can be grown by gardeners of all skill levels.
- Seasonal Color: It provides seasonal color in the garden, typically blooming in late spring and early summer.
- Variety: Offers variety in the garden due to its unique shade of blue amongst garden plants.
- Edging Plants: It can be used as an edging plant in flower beds and borders, providing structure and definition.
- Containers: It is suitable for container gardening, allowing those with limited space to enjoy its beauty.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Art and Craft Inspiration: Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue's vibrant colors often inspire artists and crafters, who use its image in paintings, textile patterns, and decorative arts.
- Floral Photography: Photographers may choose sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' for its striking hue, using it as a subject for macro photography or as part of a larger botanical composition.
- Educational Tool: Botany educators can use sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' in lessons about plant biology, particularly when discussing pollination, as they are attractive to bees and butterflies.
- Wedding Decor: Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' is popular for wedding bouquets and arrangements, adding a touch of romance and its sweet fragrance to the celebration.
- Sachets and Potpourri: Dried sweet pea flowers can be used in sachets and potpourri, lending a subtle scent to linens and drawers.
- Garden Design: Landscape designers may employ sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' to create a 'living wall' or as part of a cottage garden design for their aesthetic appeal.
- Scented Candles: The fragrance of sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' can be used as inspiration for scented candles, offering a floral aroma to the indoors.
- Perfumery: Though not a common practice due to its subtle scent, sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' can be used as one of the notes in crafting perfumes.
- Seasonal Celebrations: Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' can be used as part of floral displays for spring festivals, symbolizing renewal and growth.
- Seed Art: The dark-colored seeds of sweet pea can be included in seed art for contrast and texture alongside other varieties of seeds.
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 Memories: Sweet peas, such as Lathyrus odoratus 'Bounce Mid Blue', often symbolize pleasant memories and nostalgic thoughts due to their sweet fragrance, which can remind individuals of past experiences or locations associated with positive emotions.
- Goodbye: In the language of flowers, sweet peas can represent saying goodbye, possibly because their delicate nature may evoke thoughts of fleeting moments and the transient nature of encounters.
- Blissful Pleasure: The delightful scent and appearance of sweet peas can convey a sense of pure enjoyment or delight, suggesting blissful pleasure as one of the plant's symbolic meanings.
- Thank You: Giving a bouquet of sweet peas can be a way to express gratitude, as they have come to symbolize thanks and appreciation for a kind act or favor received.
- Delicate Pleasures: The subtle beauty and fragrance of sweet peas can represent fine or refined pleasures, alluding to experiences that are enjoyed for their understated elegance.
WaterSweet peas, including the 'Bounce Mid Blue', prefer consistent moisture. Water these plants thoroughly once a week with about one gallon of water per square yard. The frequency should increase to twice a week during periods of drought or extreme heat. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, and aim for the base of the plant using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. Always check the top inch of soil before watering; if it feels dry, it's time to water.
LightSweet peas thrive in full sunlight with at least six hours of direct sun daily. The best spot for 'Bounce Mid Blue' sweet peas is in a location where they can receive morning light and some protection from the intense afternoon sun, particularly in hotter regions.
TemperatureSweet peas grow best in cool to moderate temperatures, with the 'Bounce Mid Blue' variety performing well in conditions between 55° and 65°F. These plants can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F and as high as 75°F, but prolonged exposure to extremes can lead to poor growth or damage.
PruningFor the 'Bounce Mid Blue' sweet pea, pruning is essential to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch tips when seedlings have developed three pairs of leaves. The best time to prune is early in the season or after the first flush of flowers to promote a second bloom. Deadheading spent flowers regularly also encourages new blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' thrives in a soil mix that's well-draining and rich in organic matter. A good recipe would be a mix of loam, peat, and well-rotted compost at equal parts, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingSweet Peas, including 'Bounce Mid Blue', are usually grown as annuals and therefore don't require frequent repotting. They can be sown directly into the ground or started in pots before transferring outdoors.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' prefers moderate humidity levels outdoors, which mimic their natural environment. They are not particular about indoor humidity but avoiding extremely dry air benefits them.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Sweet Pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' in bright, indirect light and cool temps.
Outdoor
Plant Sweet Pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' in sun, sheltered from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleLathyrus odoratus 'Bounce Mid Blue', commonly known as Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue', begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in fertile, well-drained soil and germinate, typically in early spring or late winter under protective conditions. Once germinated, seedlings grow into vines with tendrils that readily climb on supports, developing compound leaves. The plant enters its vegetative stage, producing lush foliage before transitioning to the reproductive stage, characterized by the formation of fragrant, blue flowers that typically bloom from late spring to summer. After pollination, often by bees and other insects, the flowers develop into seed pods that mature, dry, and eventually release seeds, thereby completing the life cycle. If conditions are unfavorable, the plant may enter a dormant stage, with reduced growth and suspended flowering until a suitable environment is restored. Sweet pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' is often grown as an annual plant, which means its complete life cycle—from seedling to seed production—occurs within one growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagating Sweet Pea 'Bounce Mid Blue' is through seed sowing. The best time to sow Sweet Pea seeds is typically in late winter or early spring, aiming for a period when the soil can be worked but is not waterlogged. Sow seeds about an inch (2.54 centimeters) deep in well-draining soil, spaced about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) apart. If starting seeds indoors, it's common to use a seed starting mix and to soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting to soften the hard outer shell and promote germination. Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and there is no more risk of frost, they can be transplanted outdoors into the garden or into larger pots where they can climb support structures and flourish.
