Sweet pea 'Honey Pink' Lathyrus odoratus 'Honey Pink'
ABOUT
'Honey Pink' is an annual climber to around 2m tall producing an abundance of dusky pink, scented flowers from summer into early autumn
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Visual Appeal: Lathyrus odoratus 'Honey Pink' offers attractive pink flowers that enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: The sweet scent of the flowers can create a pleasing aromatic environment in the area where they are planted.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blossoms attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination.
- Cutting Garden Plant: The flowers are excellent for cutting and can be used in floral arrangements due to their beauty and fragrance.
- Easy to Grow: It is known for being easy to cultivate, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
- Edible Flowers: The blooms are edible and can be used to add color and a light pea flavor to salads and dishes (though excessive consumption should be avoided due to potential toxicity).
- Cottage Garden Aesthetic: Its traditional appearance is perfect for creating or enhancing a cottage garden design.
- Vertical Interest: As a climbing plant, it can add vertical interest to gardens, growing on trellises, fences, or other supports.
- Seasonal Color: It provides seasonal color in spring and summer when many plants are in full bloom.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Cut Flowers: Sweet pea 'Honey Pink' blossoms are often used in floral arrangements for their delightful fragrance and vibrant color.
- Companion Planting: Gardeners sometimes use sweet peas to support and enhance the growth of other plants in the garden, such as tomatoes, by creating mutually beneficial microclimates.
- Garden Decoration: With their attractive blooms, sweet peas can be grown on trellises or fences to aesthetically enhance garden spaces.
- Photography Prop: The striking appearance of sweet pea flowers makes them a popular choice for use in photography, particularly for garden and nature-themed shoots.
- Education: Sweet peas can be used in horticultural programs or botanical studies to educate about climbing plant species and pollination.
- Victorian Language of Flowers: In the language of flowers, sweet peas signify departure or delicate pleasure, making them a traditional gift when someone is leaving or to express a sweet sentiment.
- Art Inspirations: Due to their beauty, sweet pea flowers are a common subject for artists, inspiring paintings, drawings, and other art forms.
- Natural Dyes: The petals of sweet pea flowers, depending on the color, can be used to produce natural dyes for textiles or crafts.
- Special Occasions: They are a popular choice for weddings and spring events, often incorporated into bouquets, table centerpieces, and venue decorations.
- Bee and Butterfly Gardens: Sweet pea flowers can form part of a garden designed to attract and support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The sweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The sweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Delicate Pleasure: Similar to other sweet peas, the 'Honey Pink' variety of Lathyrus odoratus symbolizes delicate pleasures, reflecting the subtle beauty and fragrance of its blossoms.
- Goodbye and Departure: In the language of flowers, sweet peas are often associated with farewells and goodbyes, possibly because they can be used to signify a wish for a fond farewell or to remember someone fondly after parting.
- Blissful Pleasure: Sweet peas also express blissful pleasure, representing moments of pure joy and contentment that are cherished and savored.
- Thank You: Gifting someone sweet peas can be a way to say "thank you," making them a symbol of appreciation and gratefulness for kindness or hospitality received.
- Delicate Beauty: With their elegant tendrils and colorful petals, sweet peas often stand for delicate beauty, highlighting the gentle and refined grace they add to any garden or bouquet.
- Water
Sweet peas, including the variety 'Honey Pink,' should be watered deeply once a week, providing about one to one and a half gallons per plant, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot seasons or dry spells, watering may increase to twice a week. It's crucial to avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and prevent mildew; instead, water at the base of the plant. Reduce water as the plant starts to flower to encourage strong blooms. Always check the soil moisture level before watering to avoid over-watering, as sweet peas prefer well-drained soil.
- Light
Sweet peas like 'Honey Pink' thrive in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They will perform best when placed in a spot that provides morning sunlight and some protection from the intense afternoon sun in hotter climates. Ensure the location is open to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent diseases.
- Temperature
Sweet peas, such as 'Honey Pink,' grow best in temperatures between 55°F and 65°F. They are cool-season plants and can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 50°F and a maximum of 75°F. To encourage the best flowering, make sure they are grown in cooler temperatures within this range, as higher temperatures can reduce blooming.
- Pruning
To encourage bushier growth and more blooms, 'Honey Pink' sweet peas should be regularly deadheaded by removing spent flowers. Prune for shaping during the early growth stages by pinching out the tips. Prune sweet peas early in the morning or late in the evening and sterilize the cutting tools before use. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Sweet peas thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. A best mix for Honey Pink sweet peas would be a combination of garden soil, well-rotted manure or compost, and sharp sand to improve drainage. Adding bone meal to the mix provides phosphorus, which is beneficial for healthy root development.
- Repotting
Honey Pink sweet peas, being annuals, do not typically require repotting. They are sown directly into their final position in the garden or container. If started indoors, transplant them outside after the risk of frost has passed.
- Humidity & Misting
Sweet peas, including Honey Pink, prefer moderate humidity levels. They can tolerate a wide range, but excessive humidity may lead to fungal diseases. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to minimize high humidity-related issues.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Grow Honey Pink sweet peas in well-lit spot, cool temperature, and support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny space, provide trellis, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
- Life cycle
Sweet Pea 'Honey Pink' begins its life cycle as a dormant seed that can be sown in late winter or early spring, directly into well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Germination occurs usually within 7-15 days in temperatures between 55-65°F (13-18°C). Once sprouted, the seedling grows rapidly, producing climbing vines that can reach up to 6-8 feet if supported by trellises or other structures. It develops compound leaves and tendrils that allow it to climb and support itself. Flowering typically occurs in late spring or early summer, with 'Honey Pink' producing fragrant, delicate pink flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies. After pollination by insects, it sets seed pods that mature in late summer, which can be collected for sowing in the following season, completing its annual cycle.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagation for the Sweet Pea 'Honey Pink' is by sowing seeds. The best time for sowing this variety is typically in late winter or early spring, when frost is no longer a threat. To propagate, seeds should first be soaked in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer coating, which can improve germination rates. After soaking, the seeds are sown about 1 inch deep in well-draining soil and spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart. They require a sunny spot and should be kept moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10 to 21 days. Sweet peas appreciate support for climbing as they grow, so providing a trellis or similar structure will help them thrive. Regular deadheading of spent flowers can extend the blooming period and maintain plant vigor.