Lathyrus odoratus 'Clementine Kiss'
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as Sweet Pea, specifically the 'Clementine Kiss' variety, is notable for its visually striking and aromatic flowers. Its blooms exhibit a distinctive combination of colors – soft apricot orange kissed with pale lavender, creating an enchanting blend that sets it apart from other Sweet Peas. The flowers themselves are ruffled and have a delicate, almost translucent quality that gives them a romantic appearance. Each flower comprises multiple petals arranged to form an intricate, almost butterfly-like shape. Sweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss' not only charms with its visual beauty but also entices with its fragrance. The scent is sweet and strong, typical of Sweet Peas, and is known to carry in the air, particularly on warm, sunny days. The foliage is a fresh, vibrant green, providing a lovely backdrop for the pastel flowers. The leaves are typically pinnate, with multiple leaflets, and they climb and support themselves by twining tendrils that grasp onto any available support. Flowers bloom profusely, often in clusters, making 'Clementine Kiss' a favorite among gardeners looking to add both color and fragrance to their garden spaces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss', Sweet Pea, Annual Sweet Pea, Perennial Sweet Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, including the 'Clementine Kiss' variety, carries a degree of toxicity. Ingestion can lead to a condition called lathyrism. Symptoms of poisoning, in severe cases, may include muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially permanent damage to the nervous system if consumed in large quantities over time. It is primarily the seeds and seedpods that contain the harmful compounds, such as aminopropionitrile, that can cause these symptoms.
To pets
Sweet pea, under which 'Clementine Kiss' is categorized, is toxic to pets. Ingesting parts of the plant, especially the seeds, can lead to similar issues as in humans, namely the condition known as lathyrism. Poisoning symptoms in pets include lethargy, seizures, tremors, and in severe cases, it can lead to more serious neurological effects such as paralysis. Chronic ingestion could cause permanent damage to the nervous system. Pet owners should prevent pets from having access to sweet peas to avoid these health risks.
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
Varies
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and beauty to gardens with its orange-pink flowers.
- Fragrance: Infuses the area with a pleasant, sweet scent.
- Attracting Pollinators: Draws in beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting pollination.
- Easy to Grow: Suitable for novice gardeners as it's relatively simple to cultivate and maintain.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are excellent for creating fresh floral arrangements.
- Versatility: Can be grown in containers, borders, or as part of a cottage garden scheme.
- Vertical Interest: As a climbing plant, it adds height and can be used to cover trellises or fences.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms primarily in late spring and early summer, adding seasonal charm to the landscape.
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 can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering hues of light green or yellow depending on the mordant used.
- Education and research: Sweet pea is often used for genetic studies due to its large, easily manipulated flowers and relatively simple genome, making it a good model organism for teaching genetics.
- Culinary garnish: Although the plant is not edible, the vibrant flowers can be used to decorate plates or cakes for visual appeal, but they should not be consumed.
- Art and illustration: The distinctive and attractive flowers of sweet pea make them a popular subject for botanical artists and illustrators.
- Botanical perfume: While not a common practice, the fragrance of sweet pea flowers can be used to inspire or infuse botanical perfumes, capturing their sweet scent.
- Insectary plant: Planting sweet peas in the garden can attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination.
- Floristry training: Sweet pea is utilized to train florists in the art of arranging flowers due to its long stems and attractive blooms.
- Photography: The colorful and photogenic sweet pea flowers are ideal subjects for photographers looking to capture the beauty of nature in detail.
- Fragrance sachets: Dried sweet pea flowers can be placed in small sachets to lightly scent drawers and wardrobes.
- Children’s crafts: The bright, colorful flowers can be used in simple educational crafts with children to help them learn about plant biology and color.
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: The sweet pea, with its delightful fragrance, is commonly associated with experiencing pleasure and enjoying the sweeter side of life.
- Goodbye: In the language of flowers, sweet peas can symbolize departure or a polite way to say goodbye, perhaps after a pleasurable time spent together.
- Gratitude: Sweet peas often express thankfulness for a lovely time, making them perfect for gratitude bouquets and thank-you gifts.
- Delicate Pleasure: The delicate nature of the sweet pea blossoms emphasizes the fleeting beauty and subtle joys to be cherished in life.
- Departure: Sweet peas may also signify leaving after having a good time, aligning with the sentiment of bidding farewell but leaving behind a sweet reminder.
WaterSweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss' prefers soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water this plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, which may be approximately once a week, though this frequency can vary depending on climate and weather conditions. Aim to water early in the morning, at the base of the plant, to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Use enough water to saturate the soil to a depth of about 6 inches, which might be around 1 to 1.5 gallons depending on the size of the plant and the soil composition.
LightSweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss' thrives best in full sunlight, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. The ideal spot for this plant would be a location where it can soak up the morning sun but is somewhat protected from the intense heat of the late afternoon, especially in hotter regions.
TemperatureSweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss' prefers temperatures between 55°F and 65°F for optimal growth and flowering. The plant can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but frost can damage the blossoms and pods. It can also tolerate a maximum temperature up to approximately 75°F, beyond which the plant may begin to suffer.
PruningSweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss' benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Prune or pinch back the tips when the plant is 4 to 6 inches tall, and then periodically throughout the season to remove faded flowers and seed pods. The best time for heavy pruning is in the late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet peas prefer well-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. An ideal pH range for Lathyrus odoratus 'Clementine Kiss' is between 6.0 to 7.0. A good soil mix would comprise two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part perlite or sand to enhance drainage.
RepottingSweet peas generally prefer to be sown directly where they are to flower and can be sensitive to root disturbance. However, if starting indoors, transplant Lathyrus odoratus 'Clementine Kiss' outdoors when they are small seedlings, typically after 4 to 6 weeks. Annual repotting is not necessary as they are typically grown as annuals.
Humidity & MistingLathyrus odoratus 'Clementine Kiss', like other sweet peas, enjoys moderate humidity levels. Aim for a relative humidity around 50-70% for optimal health and blooming, but sweet peas are quite adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity levels of most outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cooler temps, and support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant in cool soil, full sun, and provide a trellis.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Clementine Kiss' begins its life cycle as a hard seed that requires soaking or scarification to break dormancy. Upon germination in early spring, the seed develops into a seedling with a primary root that soon gives rise to tendrils and a stem. As the plant matures, it produces distinctive pinnate leaves and climbs using its tendrils, seeking sunlight and supportive structures. The vegetative stage is followed by the flowering phase in late spring to summer, where it produces fragrant, colorful blossoms that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into legume pods containing seeds, which mature by late summer to early autumn. The plant completes its annual cycle when the seeds are dispersed, and it dies back with the onset of colder temperatures, allowing the seeds to overwinter and restart the life cycle in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Sweet pea 'Clementine Kiss' is typically propagated through seeds. The best time to sow sweet pea seeds is in late winter or early spring, although some gardeners also start them in the fall for an early start. Before planting, it's common to nick the hard outer shell of the seed with a file or soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the coat, aiding in germination. Once prepared, the seeds can be sown about 1 inch deep in well-draining soil and spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart. Germination typically occurs within 10 to 21 days when kept at a temperature of about 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius). It's important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during this time. After the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be thinned or transplanted to their final growing positions, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow and a support to climb.
