Sweet pea 'Candy King' Lathyrus odoratus 'Candy King'
ABOUT
'Candy King' is a climbing annual, up to 1.9m high, with green pinnate twining leaves and large, very fragrant flowers, rich pink on a white background, on strong stems that are good for cutting, in summer and early autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Sweetpea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
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
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Lathyrus odoratus 'Candy King', commonly known as sweet pea, has brightly colored flowers that enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: The sweet pea is celebrated for its delightful fragrance, which adds a pleasant aroma to the garden setting or when used in cut flower arrangements.
- Attracts Pollinators: Sweet peas attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, contributing to the health and productivity of the garden ecosystem.
- Vertical Interest: With its climbing habit, sweet pea can be trained to grow on trellises, arbors, or fences, adding a vertical element of interest to garden design.
- Seasonal Color: Blooming in the spring and early summer, sweet peas provide seasonal color at a time when many other plants are just beginning to grow.
- Versatility: They are suitable for a variety of settings, including borders, containers, and as cut flowers in floral arrangements.
- Screening: When grown along a trellis, sweet peas can form a natural, colorful screen offering some privacy in outdoor spaces.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet peas are generally easy to cultivate, which makes them a good choice for gardeners at all skill levels.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The flowers of Sweet Pea 'Candy King' can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering hues that range from soft pinks to purples depending on the mordant used.
- Companion planting: Sweet peas can be grown alongside certain vegetables like beans and tomatoes, as their fragrance may deter pests while attracting pollinators to the garden.
- Educational resource: Their easy-to-grow nature makes Sweet Peas ideal for educational projects teaching children about plant growth and gardening.
- Art supplies: Pressed flowers from the Sweet Pea can be used in arts and crafts, such as creating greeting cards or for botanical illustration.
- Floral artistry: Its vibrant colors and shape make it a popular choice for use in floral arrangements, corsages, and boutonnieres, often used in weddings and special events.
- Scented sachets: The fragrant flowers can be dried and used in scented sachets to freshen drawers and closets.
- Garden design: Sweet Pea 'Candy King' can be utilized as a colorful living fence or privacy screen when grown on trellises or support structures.
- Photography prop: Its striking appearance makes it a favorite subject for photographers, particularly those specializing in botanical and garden photography.
- Ephemeral jewelry: Some artisans use the delicate blooms to create temporary, yet beautiful jewelry pieces such as necklaces and bracelets.
- Historical studies: The Sweet Pea 'Candy King', due to its long cultivation history, can be a point of interest for those studying heirloom plant varieties and horticultural practices through time.
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: Sweet peas are often associated with experiencing pleasures that are pure and deeply satisfying, perhaps because of their delightful fragrance and delicate appearance.
- Goodbye and Departure: In the language of flowers, sweet peas can symbolize a farewell or a goodbye, which might be due to their brief blooming season, signifying a fleeting moment or temporary stay.
- Thankfulness: The sweet pea is also a symbol of gratitude. Giving someone this flower can express appreciation for a kind gesture or support received.
- Delicate or Blissful Pleasure: Similar to blissful pleasure, this symbolism refers to the enjoyment of the finer, subtler things in life, which can be represented by the sweet pea's fine petals and subtle beauty.
WaterSweet peas, including the 'Candy King' variety, prefer consistent moisture but do not like to be waterlogged. During the growing season, water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, which usually means about once a week, depending on weather conditions and soil type. It's best to use a soaker hose or water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. Aim to provide sweet peas with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per square foot every week during active growth.
LightSweet peas like 'Candy King' thrive in full sun, which means they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for them is in a garden area where they get plenty of morning sun and some protection from the intense afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering will be less abundant.
TemperatureSweet peas, such as 'Candy King', perform best in cooler temperatures and can tolerate a light frost. They prefer a temperature range between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. They can survive short periods outside of this range, with minimum temperatures not falling below 25 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperatures as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though prolonged exposure to heat can curtail flowering.
PruningPruning sweet peas like 'Candy King' helps promote fuller growth and more prolific flowering. Pinch off the top of the plant after it has developed several pairs of leaves to encourage branching. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers to form. The best time for more extensive pruning to remove dead or weak stems is in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Candy King' thrives in a well-draining, rich, loamy soil mix with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure. Mulch to maintain moisture and reduce weed competition.
RepottingSweet Peas such as 'Candy King' are generally grown as annuals and do not require repotting. If grown in containers, replace the soil annually when sowing new seeds.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Candy King' does best with moderate humidity but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, and airflow for indoor Sweet Peas.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, fertile soil, and provide support for climbing.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Candy King' begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate, usually in cool early spring conditions or after a period of soaking or scarification to aid in water absorption. The seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, developing a robust root system and climbing stems with the help of tendrils. As the plant matures, it develops compound leaves and starts to produce distinctive, fragrant flowers typically by late spring or early summer. Following pollination, often by bees or other insects attracted to the flowers, the plant produces seed pods. As the pods mature, they dry and eventually release seeds for the next generation. Finally, after seeding, the plant senesces and dies back in the late summer or fall, especially after flowering is complete, completing its annual life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Lathyrus odoratus 'Candy King', commonly known as Sweet Pea 'Candy King', is typically propagated by seed. Planting seeds is the most popular method and usually occurs in the early spring or late winter. To propagate Sweet Peas by seed, you should soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer coating. After soaking, plant the seeds about 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep in a well-draining soil mix. Place them in a sunny location and keep the soil moist. Seedlings will typically emerge in 10 to 21 days depending on the soil temperature. Transplant them to their final location once the danger of frost has passed and they have grown strong enough to handle the move.
