Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow'
ABOUT
Sweet pea 'Evening Glow' is a captivating flowering plant known for its beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance. The flowers of this variety are especially striking, with a bicolor pattern that often includes shades of deep purple and soft lavender or pink. These vibrantly hued petals are typically arranged in a classic sweet pea shape, with a couple of larger, rounded banner petals that may gently curl at their edges, accompanied by smaller, wing-like petals. The blossoms are inviting and often have a silky or velvety texture. This sweet pea's vines are graced with tendrils that allow it to climb and clasp onto supports with enthusiasm. The plant’s foliage consists of bright green leaves that are pinnate, meaning they have several small, leaflets arranged opposite each other on a central stem, giving them a feathery or delicate appearance. These leaves serve as a lovely backdrop for the profusion of flowers that can appear in clusters or singly on a slender, gracefully arching stem. As a climber, sweet pea 'Evening Glow' is often found twining around trellises, fences, or other garden structures, adding vertical interest to garden spaces. The overall impression of the sweet pea 'Evening Glow' is that of a charming and romantic plant, with a display of colors that can vividly stand out in the daylight and seem to take on a more mysterious quality as the light fades, true to its name suggesting its beauty in the evening light.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as sweet pea is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it can cause mild to moderate symptoms if ingested in larger quantities. The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant and contain a compound called Lathyrin, which can potentially cause a condition known as lathyrism if consumed in large amounts over time. Lathyrism can lead to neurological symptoms that may include weakness, convulsions, and paralysis of the legs due to disruption of the nervous system. It's important to avoid ingesting any part of the sweet pea plant, especially the seeds, to prevent these possible consequences.
To pets
The sweet pea plant can be toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. If a pet ingests the seeds or other parts of the sweet pea, it can experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. In severe cases, tremors or seizures may occur. The seeds contain a toxin known as Lathyrin, which can cause the condition lathyrism with chronic ingestion. Lathyrism can lead to neurologic issues, including muscle tremors and seizures, especially when the seeds have been ingested in significant quantities over a prolonged period. It is advised to keep pets away from sweet pea plants and to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your pet has consumed any part of this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
Varies
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Its vibrant blossoms add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: It emits a sweet scent that can enhance the sensory experience of any garden area.
- Pollinator Attraction: Flowers can attract bees and butterflies, beneficial for pollination in the garden.
- Cutting Garden Use: Its stems are long and sturdy, making it ideal for cut flower arrangements.
- Screening: Can be grown along fences or walls for natural screening.
- Vertical Gardening: Being a climbing plant, it's suitable for trellises, arbors, and other vertical spaces.
- Seasonal Impact: It flowers in the late spring to early summer, providing color when many other plants are not in bloom.
- Ease of Care: Generally easy to grow and maintain, requiring minimal care once established.
- Edibility: The young shoots and seeds are sometimes used in culinary preparations.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', commonly known as sweet pea, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a gentle color when the flowers are boiled and the material is soaked in the resulting solution.
- Cut sweet pea flowers are popular in aromatherapy applications, where their fragrance is used to create a relaxing and calming environment.
- The long vines of sweet pea can be woven into small trellises or plant supports for other, smaller plants in the garden that require a climbing aid.
- Dried sweet pea flowers can be used in potpourri mixtures, contributing their delightful scent to the blend.
- Sweet pea petals can be used in crafting homemade paper, adding a decorative element and a faint fragrance to the final product.
- The stems and vines of sweet pea, when dried, can be used as a natural binding material in gardening to tie other plants or bundle objects together.
- Sweet pea flowers can be used as a natural confetti for outdoor events, which is biodegradable and more environmentally friendly than synthetic alternatives.
- Pressed sweet pea flowers create beautiful additions to personalized stationery, bookmarks, and pressed flower art due to their vivid colors and shapes.
- The flowers of the sweet pea plant can be used in educational settings to teach children about pollination and the plant's life cycle in a hands-on manner.
- During photography sessions or filming, sweet pea flowers can serve as a natural backdrop or prop due to their vibrant colors and appealing appearance.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Pleasure: Sweet pea, the common name for Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', symbolizes pleasure due to its delightful scent, which can bring enjoyment and pleasure to the senses.
- Goodbye: In the language of flowers, sweet pea can represent a farewell or a departure, as it has historically been given to someone embarking on a journey or leaving a place.
- Blissful pleasure: Sweet pea is also indicative of blissful pleasure, thanks to its fragrant blossoms which are often associated with innocent and pure delight.
- Thank you for a lovely time: Sweet pea flowers are given as a token of thanks for the good times shared, making them a popular gift to hosts after attending a pleasant event or gathering.
- Delicate pleasures: As sweet peas are delicate flowers, they can represent the fine and light pleasures in life, such as a serene moment or a gentle touch.
WaterSweet peas, like the Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. They typically need about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or manual watering. In hot or dry weather, you may need to water sweet peas two to three times a week to maintain proper soil moisture. It's best to water deeply and directly at the base of the plant, using a watering can or soaker hose, to avoid wetting the foliage and possibly promoting fungal diseases. For a mature plant, using approximately two gallons spread out over a week is usually sufficient to maintain healthy growth.
LightSweet peas, including the variety Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', thrive in full sun conditions, which means they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, they also benefit from cool temperatures, so if you're in a particularly hot climate, providing some light afternoon shade will help prevent the plants from overheating. The ideal spot for sweet peas would be in a location that receives ample morning sunlight with some respite from the intense midday and afternoon sun.
TemperatureSweet peas, such as the Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', prefer a temperature range between 50°F and 65°F for optimal growth. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F but will not survive freezing conditions for extended periods. Similarly, these plants can handle up to 80°F but may suffer when temperatures consistently go higher. The ideal conditions are cool nighttime temperatures and moderate daytime temperatures to promote prolonged flowering.
PruningPruning sweet peas, such as the Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', encourages more blooms and helps prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. Pinch out the tips of young plants when they are about 4 to 6 inches tall to promote bushier growth. After flowering, regular deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, will encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth starts, and throughout the growing season for maintenance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Evening Glow' thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix for sweet peas would be equal parts of loam, peat, and sharp sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure will enrich the soil and benefit plant growth.
RepottingSweet Peas are typically grown as annuals and don’t require repotting. Plant 'Evening Glow' in the garden or outdoor containers at the start of the season and compost them after they have bloomed.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Evening Glow' prefer average to high humidity levels but are generally adaptable to outdoor conditions. Protect them from strong winds that may cause them to dry out too quickly.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide full sun, stake vines, and use well-draining potting mix.
Outdoor
In full sun, enrich soil with compost, and provide a trellis for support.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA.
Life cycleThe life of the plant known as Sweet Pea 'Evening Glow' begins with seed germination, which typically occurs in early spring or can be initiated indoors before the last frost. After germination, seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, developing a robust root system and foliage. As the plant matures, it develops climbing tendrils that seek support to grow vertically. The Sweet Pea 'Evening Glow' then enters the flowering stage in late spring or early summer, producing fragrant, bicolored flowers well-suited for cutting. Following pollination, which is often aided by insects, the plant produces seed pods that mature and eventually dry on the plant. At the end of the growing season, the annual Sweet Pea 'Evening Glow' completes its life cycle, leaving behind seeds that can be collected for planting in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
The Lathyrus odoratus 'Evening Glow', commonly known as Sweet Pea, is most effectively propagated by seed. The ideal time to sow Sweet Pea seeds is either in late fall or early spring. In regions with milder winters, autumn sowing gives them a head start, leading to more robust spring plants. However, in colder climates, it’s advisable to start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost and then transplant them outside when the weather is warmer. To propagate, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing to soften the hard outer shell, which encourages germination. Plant seeds about an inch deep (approximately 2.5 cm) in well-draining soil and space them 2 to 3 inches apart (about 5 to 7.5 cm). Keep the soil moist until germination, which typically occurs in 10 to 21 days.
