Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel'
ABOUT
Charlie's Angel is a variety of sweet pea known for its captivating beauty and delightful scent. This plant exhibits a climbing habit, often seen adorned with tendrils that reach out to grasp onto supports, allowing it to ascend gracefully. Its stems are slender and green, serving as a delicate backdrop for the foliage and blossoms. Its leaves are pinnate, typically comprising of multiple leaflets, which are elongated and have a smooth, yet somewhat veiny appearance, all converging to a single point on the stalk, thus resembling a feathered structure. Charlie's Angel presents an exquisite display of flowers that are most striking. The blossoms are typically ruffled and come in an alluring shade of pastel blue, hinting at the charm of a misty morning sky. These flowers can also sometimes show off a dual-toned face, with a subtle blend of creamy hues merging into the tender blue. Their form is that of the classic sweet pea, with each bloom featuring wings and a keel, poetically arranged in a way that suggests the flutter of a butterfly's wings. The plant's fragrance is yet another aspect that contributes to its allure, exuding a sweet and intoxicating aroma that can infuse the air with its presence. This fragrance is reminiscent of old-fashioned perfumes, evocative of a bygone era of romance and elegance. Overall, Charlie's Angel is a charming and elegant plant that is cherished for its delightful blooms and nostalgic fragrance, bringing a touch of classical beauty to any garden or floral display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Sweetpea, Everlasting Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, including the variety 'Charlie's Angel', contains toxic amino acids, particularly in its seeds and seed pods. If ingested in large enough quantities, these can cause a condition known as lathyrism. Symptoms of lathyrism may include weakness, lethargy, paralysis of the lower limbs, and potentially permanent neurological damage. Eating parts of the plant, especially the seeds, can lead to these toxic effects.
To pets
Sweet pea toxicity in pets, such as dogs and cats, is similar to that in humans. The plant contains amino acids that can cause lathyrism when ingested in significant amounts. Symptoms of sweet pea poisoning in pets can include vomiting, lethargy, seizures, and possibly paralysis or convulsions. Eating the seeds or seed pods poses the highest risk, but all parts of the plant have the potential to cause illness.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pale Blue
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 'Charlie's Angel', commonly known as Sweet Pea 'Charlie's Angel', offers a delicate and ornamental appearance to any garden, with its attractive flowers and foliage enhancing the visual interest of the space.
- Fragrance - Sweet Pea 'Charlie's Angel' is renowned for its delightful scent, which can perfume a garden area and create a pleasing olfactory experience for anyone nearby.
- Attracts Pollinators - The blossoms of Sweet Pea 'Charlie's Angel' attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, aiding in the pollination of nearby plants and contributing to the health of the local ecosystem.
- Climbing Growth Habit - With its twining vines, Sweet Pea 'Charlie's Angel' can climb trellises, fences, and other structures, offering vertical interest and the opportunity to create living screens or focal points in the garden.
- Variety of Colors - The plant produces flowers in a range of colors, which can complement a variety of garden designs and color schemes, providing versatility in landscaping.
- Easy to Grow - Sweet Pea 'Charlie's Angel' is known for being easy to cultivate, requiring only basic garden care, which makes it suitable for gardeners of 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- Sweet pea 'Charlie's Angel' can be used in potpourri due to its strong fragrance, enhancing the aroma of a room when dried and mixed with other scented botanicals.
- The vines of sweet pea can be woven into small, natural trellises or supports for other, less sturdy plants to grow upon.
- As an educational tool, sweet pea can be used to teach children about plant growth, pollination, and the lifecycle of flowering plants.
- Dedicated artists may use the vibrant petals for creating natural dyes for fabrics or paper, giving them a unique hue.
- With its long tendrils, sweet pea can be trained to grow in intricate shapes or patterns for garden design and landscape artistry.
- The use of sweet pea in a cut flower garden can provide ample flowers which can be sold or donated to local businesses or events.
- In photography, sweet pea can serve as an attractive backdrop or a subject of macro photography, capturing the details of its delicate flowers.
- The plant can be used in culinary presentations as a non-toxic garnish to add color and elegance to dishes.
- During nature-inspired crafts, the stems and flowers can be incorporated into wreaths, crowns, or other decorative items.
- The strong scent of sweet peas can deter certain pests from other plants when used as a companion in the garden.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Blissful Pleasure: Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as Sweet Pea, often symbolizes blissful pleasure, capturing the essence of delicate and fleeting moments of joy.
- Goodbye: The Sweet Pea can also signify saying farewell or goodbye, potentially because of its brief lifespan after being cut.
- Thank You for a Lovely Time: Given as a token of gratitude, the Sweet Pea expresses appreciation for shared moments and experiences.
- Delicate or Blissful Pleasure: The sweet and pleasant fragrance along with the flower's fragile appearance evokes a sense of delicate and enjoyable experiences.
- Departure: Sweet Peas may be used to indicate someone's departure or the end of an era, akin to bidding adieu.
WaterSweet pea plants, like Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel', should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the water to penetrate the soil to a depth of at least 1 inch. During the active growth season in spring and early summer, they may require more frequent watering, especially in dry conditions. Aim to provide them with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard each week, adjusting as necessary based on rainfall and temperature. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging, which can cause root rot.
LightSweet peas prefer a location that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. They thrive best when they are exposed to morning sunlight and protected from the intense heat of late afternoon sun. The best spot for Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel' is a sunny border or a trellis in a south-facing garden that receives ample daylight.
TemperatureSweet peas like Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel' prefer cooler temperatures, performing best when daytime temperatures are between 55°F and 65°F. They can withstand temperatures down to freezing but will start to suffer if temperatures drop below 25°F. They generally do not thrive in high heat, so if temperatures are regularly above 75°F, the plants may become stressed.
PruningPruning sweet peas like Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel' encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch off the tips of the plant once it reaches about 6 inches in height. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. The best time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring, before the new growth starts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet peas, including 'Charlie's Angel,' thrive in a soil mix that is well-draining, fertile, and loamy with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The ideal mix should incorporate compost or aged manure, peat moss, and perlite to improve drainage and fertility.
RepottingSweet peas, such as 'Charlie's Angel,' are typically not repotted as they are annuals. They live for one season and do not require repotting. Start new plants each year from seeds sown directly into the garden.
Humidity & Misting'Charlie's Angel' sweet pea prefers moderate humidity conditions, as extreme dryness or high humidity can lead to problems. Aim for a relative humidity level around 40-60% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure rich soil, ample light, and stake for support to grow sweet peas indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, rich soil, and provide strong support for vine growth.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Charlie's Angel' begins with seed germination, typically in late winter or early spring when the soil warms up. The seeds sprout and the plant emerges as seedlings, which quickly grow into climbing vines with the aid of tendrils. Leaves develop as the vines grow, followed by the formation of distinctive, fragrant flower buds. These buds blossom into the characteristic colorful and sweet-scented flowers of sweet pea, which usually occurs in late spring to early summer. Following pollination, flowers develop into pods containing seeds. The plant completes its life cycle when the seeds mature and are either collected for future planting or naturally disperse to begin a new generation.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Lathyrus odoratus 'Charlie's Angel', commonly known as Sweet Pea, is typically propagated through seeds. The best time to sow Sweet Pea seeds is from late October to November or from January to March, when the soil can be worked and the temperatures are not too harsh. The popular method consists of soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell, which aids in germination. After soaking, the seeds are sown at a depth of about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in pots filled with a well-draining soil mix. They should be placed in a sunny location and kept consistently moist. Seedlings usually emerge in 10 to 21 days, depending on growing conditions. Sweet Peas prefer cool temperatures and can tolerate light frosts, thus early planting helps them establish robust root systems before the heat of summer.
