Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Brook Hall'
ABOUT
The sweet pea known as 'Brook Hall' is a flowering plant that features a climbing habit, typically requiring support to grow upward gracefully. It is best known for its appealing and fragrant blossoms which appear in clusters. The flowers of 'Brook Hall' exhibit a delightful color palette, often a soft, creamy white that provides a gentle and classic aesthetic. Each flower is characterized by its butterfly shape, with delicate, slightly ruffled petals that create a romantic and picturesque appearance. The foliage is composed of bright green leaves, which are pinnate with multiple leaflets, adding a lush backdrop that further accentuates the beauty of the fragrant blooms. The tendrils at the tips of the stems enable the plant to grip onto trellises and other supports, which allows it to display its flowers more prominently. The overall look of 'Brook Hall' sweet pea is elegant and charming, making it a popular choice for gardens where a touch of whimsy and fragrance is desired.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Lathyrus.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus 'Brook Hall', is considered toxic when ingested due to the presence of amino acid derivatives known as aminopropionitrile fumonisins. These can cause a condition known as lathyrism if consumed in large quantities or over a prolonged period. Symptoms of lathyrism include muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially irreversible nerve damage. The toxic seeds and seed pods are of particular concern, and hence, caution is advised against consuming any part of the sweet pea plant.
To pets
Sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus 'Brook Hall', is also toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. Ingesting the plant, especially the seeds, can lead to a condition called lathyrism. Symptoms in pets may include vomiting, convulsions, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. If a pet ingests sweet pea, it can suffer from muscle weakness and paralysis, and in severe cases, this can lead to death. Therefore, pet owners should keep pets away from the sweet pea plant to prevent accidental ingestion.
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: Sweet pea flowers are known for their vibrant colors and delicate appearance, which enhance the beauty of any garden or landscape.
- Fragrance: They exude a delightful fragrance that can perfume an entire garden area.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Vertical Gardening: Sweet peas are climbers, ideal for vertical gardening, which can be beneficial for smaller spaces.
- Edible Flowers: The flowers are edible and can be used to embellish salads and desserts.
- Seasonal Interest: They provide seasonal interest during their blooming period in spring and summer.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet peas are relatively easy to grow and care for, making them suitable for novice gardeners.
- Variety: Sweet peas come in different colors and forms, which allows for varied garden designs and color schemes.
- Screening: They can be used to create natural screens or privacy barriers when grown on trellises or fences.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements and bouquets due to their beauty and scent.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Biodegradable plant labels: The sturdy stems of sweet pea can be used to create natural and biodegradable plant labels for your garden.
- Natural fabric dye: Sweet pea flowers can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics, yielding soft and often pastel colors.
- Educational tool: Sweet pea's rapid growth can serve as a practical way to teach children or students about plant development and pollination.
- Floral art medium: The flowers and vines of sweet pea can be incorporated into living plant sculptures and floral art installations.
- Botanical ink: The petals of sweet pea can be used to make botanical inks for use in art projects and natural dyeing techniques.
- Companion planting: Sweet pea can be used in the garden to attract beneficial insects that help with the pollination of nearby vegetables and fruits.
- Decorative mulch: Once spent, sweet pea plants can be laid down as a visually appealing and natural mulch for garden beds.
- Seed crafts: The seeds of sweet pea can be used in crafting, for example, in making seed mosaics or for educational sorting activities with children.
- Plant-pressed bookmarks: Leaves and flowers of sweet pea can be pressed and used to create unique, natural bookmarks.
- Photography subject: Sweet pea's vibrant flowers and climbing nature make it an excellent subject for garden photography and botanical studies.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Blissful Pleasure: Sweet pea, which is the common name for Lathyrus odoratus 'Brook Hall', often symbolizes blissful pleasure due to its delightful fragrance and delicate appearance.
- Goodbye or Departure: In the language of flowers, giving sweet peas can imply a farewell or a wish for a positive goodbye.
- Thankfulness: Sweet peas can be used to express gratitude for a lovely time or for someone's presence in your life.
- Delicate Pleasure: The flower represents delicate or subtle pleasures that are enjoyed in the moment.
- Adieu: Reflecting the sentiment of 'goodbye,' sweet peas can symbolize the wish for the recipient to remember the giver fondly.
WaterFor sweet peas, it's vital to maintain consistently moist soil, especially during their active growth and flowering period. They should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could mean providing about 1 gallon per week, depending on weather conditions. However, take care not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. During hot spells, watering may be needed more frequently, but always test the soil moisture before adding water. It's best to water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day, which helps prevent disease.
LightSweet peas thrive in full sun, where they can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. The ideal spot for planting sweet peas would be an area with ample morning light and some protection from intense afternoon sun, as too much heat can reduce flowering. Ensure the planting site has good air circulation to promote healthy growth and prevent diseases.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and will flourish when daytime temperatures are around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures ideally between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They can withstand a light frost and should be planted in early spring. The maximum temperature for sweet peas should not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the minimum should remain above freezing to prevent harm to the plants.
PruningPruning sweet peas encourages bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Regularly deadhead spent flowers, removing them just above a set of leaves to prompt further flowering. Around midseason, you can cut back the stems by about one-third to rejuvenate the plants. The best time for significant pruning is when the plant begins to look tired or after a flush of blooms has finished.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Brook Hall' thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. To create the best soil mix, combine two parts loam, one part well-rotted manure or compost, and one part sharp sand to ensure good drainage. Regular addition of organic matter will help in nutrient retention and structure improvement.
RepottingSweet Peas like 'Brook Hall' are typically annuals and thus do not require repotting. They are sown directly where they are to flower and do not thrive well with transplanting due to their delicate root systems. They are best sown in new pots each season if not sown directly in the ground.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Brook Hall' prefers moderate humidity conditions, similar to what is commonly found outdoors in their growing season. They do not require exceptionally high humidity, but it's important to ensure the air isn't too dry, particularly if grown indoors which can be mitigated by occasional misting.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a sunny spot and support with a trellis.
Outdoor
Sow in a sunny area, support with trellis, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Brook Hall' begins its life cycle when seeds are sown into well-drained soil, typically in late winter or early spring. After germination, the seedlings rapidly develop a root system and shoot, and will soon produce climbing tendrils that require support, as Sweet peas are climbing plants. The vegetative stage is characterized by the growth of stems and leaves, and this stage can last for several weeks as the plant gains height and strength. As temperatures increase in late spring or early summer, the plant enters the flowering stage, producing fragrant, colorful flowers abundantly, which can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Following pollination, the flowers will produce pods containing seeds, thus reaching the reproductive stage. These seeds mature, are harvested or fall to the ground, and then enter a period of dormancy until the next growing season when the cycle can begin anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Sweet pea 'Brook Hall' is typically propagated through seeds. The optimal time for sowing these seeds is either in late winter, around February to March, or in autumn, around October to November for areas with milder climates. To propagate them, first you need to soften the hard seed coat to encourage germination. This can be done by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours or by gently nicking the coat with a file. Then plant the seeds about 1 inch deep (2.54 centimeters) in pots filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. Place the pots in a bright area and keep the soil moist. Germination usually occurs within 10 to 21 days. Once seedlings have grown strong enough and the risk of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors into their final positions. It's important to provide support for the climbing vines as they grow.
