Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly'
ABOUT
Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly' is a plant more commonly known as sweet pea. It features an array of delicate, ruffled flowers that are renowned for their enchanting fragrance. These blossoms display a pale cream hue with a touch of pink at the delicate, veined edges, creating a romantic and gentle appearance. The petals form a flared, butterfly-like shape and are often clustered together in a showy, elegant manner. The foliage consists of bright green, slender leaves that typically grow in pairs, gracefully supporting the weight of the flowers. Sweet pea 'Jilly' blooms manifest a soft, pastel palette that is highly sought after for its aesthetic appeal, making these blooms favorites in gardens tailored for their visual beauty and olfactory delights.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Sweetpea, Garden Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, specifically Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly', is generally considered ornamental and not edible. Although not highly toxic, if ingested in large quantities, the seeds and possibly other plant parts can cause lathyrism, which is a neurological condition that can lead to symptoms including weakness in the lower extremities, paralysis, and even convulsions. Chronic ingestion can lead to more severe conditions such as osteolathyrism (affecting the bones) or neurolathyrism (affecting the nervous system).
To pets
Sweet pea, including the Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly' variety, can be toxic to pets. Ingestion of the seeds or other parts of the plant may lead to symptoms such as lethargy, tremors, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea in animals. In severe cases, it can cause a condition known as lathyrism, which is characterized by neurological impairment including potential paralysis. Care should be taken to prevent pets from ingesting parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Cream
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic appeal: The Sweet Pea 'Jilly' has attractive, fragrant flowers which enhances the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts pollinators: This plant attracts bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination and the health of the ecosystem.
- Cut flowers: The blooms of Sweet Pea 'Jilly' are long-lasting when cut, making them ideal for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Variety of colors: It produces flowers in a range of colors, offering visual diversity in the garden.
- Easy to grow: Sweet Peas, including 'Jilly,' are known for being easy to cultivate, which makes them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Climbing growth habit: Their climbing habit allows them to cover trellises, fences, and other structures, providing vertical interest.
- Seasonal interest: They are often grown as annuals and provide seasonal interest with their spring to summer blooming period.
- Edible flowers: The flowers of some sweet pea varieties are edible and can be used in salads, although 'Jilly' is more often grown for ornamental uses.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Education: Sweet pea 'Jilly' can be used in educational institutions to teach students about plant biology, hybridization, and horticulture.
- Photography: This variety with its delicate hues can be an excellent subject for botanical photography enthusiasts.
- Companion Planting: Sweet pea 'Jilly' can be planted alongside vegetables like cucumbers to provide support and increase the aesthetic appeal of vegetable gardens.
- Art Inspiration: The vibrant and attractive colors of sweet pea 'Jilly' flowers can serve as an inspiration for artists in their floral paintings or textile designs.
- Natural Dye: The petals of sweet pea 'Jilly' can potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics.
- Perfumery: Due to its delightful fragrance, the extract from sweet pea 'Jilly' can be used in making perfumes or scented candles.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not edible, the flowers can be used to decorate plates and add elegance to food presentation in high-end cuisine.
- Garden Layout: The climbing habit of sweet pea 'Jilly' allows it to be used in designing vertical elements in small gardens or balcony spaces.
- Social Events: As a symbol of pleasure, sweet pea 'Jilly' can be incorporated into event décor, such as weddings and parties, to create a pleasing aesthetic.
- Wildlife Gardening: While the plant's primary purpose may not be to attract wildlife, it can occasionally provide a short-term food source for insects such as butterflies.
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 peas, including the Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly', are often associated with pleasure due to their lovely fragrance and bright, appealing flowers.
- Goodbye: In the language of flowers, sweet peas can signify a fond farewell or departure.
- Blissful Pleasure: The intoxicating scent and delicate blossoms of the sweet pea evoke a sense of deep satisfaction and delightful experiences.
- Thank You for a Lovely Time: Historically, sweet peas have been given as a gift to express gratitude for shared good times and memorable occasions.
WaterFor Sweet Pea 'Jilly', maintain even moisture by watering them thoroughly once a week, or more frequently during dry spells. They prefer soil that's moist, but not waterlogged. Each plant typically needs about 1 gallon of water per week, but adjust as needed for weather conditions. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent mildew; instead, water at the base of the plant early in the day to allow foliage to dry out.
LightSweet Pea 'Jilly' thrives best in full sun, which means at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They should be planted in a spot where they receive morning sunlight ideally, which is less intense and prevents the flowers from fading quickly. Avoid deep shade, as it will reduce blooming and can lead to weak growth.
TemperatureSweet Peas 'Jilly' grow best in cool to moderate temperatures, with ideal conditions being between 55°F and 65°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 25°F but will perform poorly in heat above 80°F. Sweet Peas prefer cooler summers and will struggle with high humidity combined with hot temperatures.
PruningFor Sweet Peas 'Jilly', pruning, or more accurately deadheading, encourages more blooms by preventing seed formation. Regularly remove faded flowers and seed pods to promote continuous blooming. Pruning is typically done throughout the blooming season, whenever flowers fade. The best time for substantial pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet peas, like Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly', thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite to improve drainage would be ideal. It's important to provide organic matter that will feed the sweet peas throughout their growing season.
RepottingSweet peas, such as Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly', generally do not require frequent repotting as they are annual plants. They are usually sown directly where they are to flower and aren't typically repotted. However, if started in pots, they should be transplanted to their final location before they become root-bound.
Humidity & MistingSweet peas, like Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly', prefer moderate humidity levels. They can tolerate the average outdoor humidity but should be protected from very dry conditions with occasional misting if grown indoors or in arid regions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright, cool conditions and support for climbing.
Outdoor
Full sun, cool soil, trellis for support, well-drained.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Jilly' begins its life cycle from seed, which when sown in early spring, germinates within 7 to 15 days under ideal conditions. The seedlings then develop into vines with climbing tendrils, and compound leaves typically emerge next, with the plant focusing energy on establishing a strong root system and foliage. Following the vegetative stage, it enters the flowering period, typically in the late spring to summer months, where it produces fragrant, pastel-colored flowers that are particularly attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into pods containing seeds, marking the plant’s reproductive phase. As the growing season ends, if the pods are left on the plant, they dry out and release their seeds, completing the life cycle. The plant is generally treated as an annual, so after seed set, it dies, and new plants must be grown from seed the following year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The sweet pea, particularly the Lathyrus odoratus 'Jilly' variety, is most commonly propagated through seeds. The optimal time to sow sweet pea seeds is either in late fall or from late winter to early spring, depending on the local climate, to allow for a period of dormancy which can be beneficial for germination. To propagate sweet peas from seeds, you should soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell and encourage germination. After soaking, plant the seeds about 1 inch deep in well-draining soil, spacing them about 2 to 3 inches apart. Provide them with support for climbing as they grow, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings can be thinned out or transplanted later to give each plant enough space to flourish.
