Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'John Gray'
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Sweet Pea John Gray' is adorned with a profusion of fragrant blooms. It produces flowers that are particularly captivating due to their soft pink hue, which can sometimes appear almost blush-toned. The petals are delicate and ruffled, giving the appearance of fine silk, and these are arranged around a small, paler central area that may have whispers of cream or light yellow tones. Sweet Pea John Gray is also known for its attractive foliage, which is a vibrant green color and presents as lance-shaped leaflets that are slender and pointed. These leaves are typically organized in a pinnate fashion along the stems, creating an elegant framing for the showy flowers. The overall appearance of this plant is one of classic garden beauty, with the flowers usually found in clusters that embellish the plant with a sense of lushness and romantic allure. The stems of the plant are slender and support both the leaves and flowers. As a climbing variety, Sweet Pea John Gray often exhibits a vigorous growth habit and would typically be found stretching towards the sky, intertwining with supports such as trellises, fences, or other structures in the garden. In summary, Sweet Pea John Gray is characterized by its appealing fragrant blush-pink flowers, delicate fluttery petals, and lance-shaped green leaves, which come together to form an enchanting display of floral elegance.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Peavine.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus 'John Gray'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as sweet pea, while it may have pretty flowers, contains toxic amino acids, particularly in its seeds. If these seeds are ingested in large quantities, they can lead to a condition known as lathyrism. This condition can cause various symptoms, including muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially permanent damage to the nervous system. It is crucial to avoid ingesting any part of the sweet pea plant, especially the seeds, to prevent these serious health consequences.
To pets
Sweet pea, the common name for Lathyrus odoratus, contains amino acids that may be toxic to pets if ingested, particularly the seeds. Consumption of these seeds in quantity can cause a condition known as lathyrism in animals as well, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, convulsions, and potentially permanent neurological damage. It is important to prevent your pets from consuming any part of the sweet pea plant to avoid these toxic effects and ensure their safety.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
5 feet (1.52 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.30 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Sweet pea 'John Gray' produces delicate and beautiful flowers that add visual interest to any garden.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasant fragrance, enhancing the sensory experience in garden spaces.
- Color Variety: Offers a range of colors through its blooms, which can complement various garden themes.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, helping to pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Versatility: Can be grown in garden beds, borders, or containers, making it suitable for different garden layouts and styles.
- Climbing Habit: As a climbing plant, it can be trained on trellises or supports, enabling vertical gardening and saving space.
- Seasonal Interest: Typically blooms in late spring to early summer, filling the garden with color during this period.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated from seeds, allowing gardeners to produce more plants affordably.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, bringing the garden's beauty indoors.
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 the sweet pea can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from pink to blue, depending on the mordant used.
- In perfumery: Sweet pea's distinctive fragrance can be captured and used as a component in creating floral perfumes and scented oils.
- As a cut flower: With their attractive blooms and scent, sweet peas are popular in floral arrangements and bouquets to add both color and fragrance.
- In potpourri: Dried sweet pea flowers can be included in potpourri mixes to contribute a pleasant aroma to indoor spaces.
- As a teaching tool: Sweet peas can be used in educational settings to demonstrate principles of plant growth and genetics, due to their ease of cultivation and variety of colors.
- In companion planting: Sweet peas can be grown alongside vegetables in gardens to enhance biodiversity and potentially attract beneficial insects.
- For ornamental crafts: Dried sweet pea flowers and seed pods can be used in making decorative items such as wreaths or dried flower arrangements.
- As a motif in art and design: The form and color of sweet pea flowers can inspire patterns and designs in textiles, wallpaper, and other decorative arts.
- In photography: Sweet peas with their vibrant colors and shapes make good subjects for floral photography, offering a natural aesthetic in both macro and portrait photography.
- For educational crafts: Children can use sweet pea seeds and flowers in craft projects to learn more about plant life cycles, botany, and arts.
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: The sweet pea's delicate scent often brings pleasure and denotes blissful pleasure, indicative of enjoying life's natural treasures.
- Goodbye: Often used to say goodbye or signify a departure, sweet peas embody the sentiment of fond farewells.
- Thank You: Giving sweet peas as a gesture of thanks has been a tradition, representing appreciation and gratitude.
- Delicate Pleasures: The sweet pea, with its light fragrance and dainty flowers, symbolizes delicate or nuanced pleasures.
- Blissful Ignorance: Their ephemeral beauty can suggest a kind of bliss that is unconcerned with the troubles of the world.
- Lasting Pleasure: While each individual sweet pea flower may be short-lived, the plant produces many blossoms, representing enduring pleasure or enjoyment.
WaterSweet peas like Lathyrus odoratus 'John Gray' should be watered deeply once a week, providing about one gallon of water per plant. Ensure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot or dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week. It's best to water early in the morning to allow leaves to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry; instead, aim the water at the base of the plant.
LightSweet pea plants thrive in full sun, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Place them in a spot where they can enjoy morning light, which is less intense and less likely to cause wilting during the heat of the day. Avoid heavily shaded areas, as insufficient light can lead to poor flowering and leggy growth.
TemperatureSweet peas, like Lathyrus odoratus 'John Gray', grow best in temperate conditions, preferring temperatures between 55°F and 65°F. They can tolerate a minimum temperature down to 50°F and a maximum up to 75°F but will start to decline if temperatures exceed this range. Protect the plants from extreme heat, as high temperatures can hamper flowering.
PruningPrune sweet peas regularly to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. For Lathyrus odoratus 'John Gray', remove spent flowers and any seed pods that form to extend the flowering period. The best time to prune is when the plants are about 4 to 6 inches tall, at which point you should pinch out the tips to promote branching. Continue to deadhead throughout the blooming season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Peas require well-draining soil with a rich organic matter composition. A good soil mix can be made using equal parts of loam, peat, and compost with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingSweet Peas typically do not need frequent repotting due to their annual lifecycle; they're often sown directly where they are to flower and not repotted.
Humidity & MistingSweet Peas thrive in moderate humidity levels but are adaptable to the humidity found in most outdoor garden environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure ample light and airflow for indoor Sweet Peas.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot, support climbing, and well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
Sweet Peas are suitable for 2-11 USDA.
Life cycleLathyrus odoratus 'John Gray', commonly known as Sweet Pea 'John Gray', begins its life cycle with seed germination which typically occurs in early spring when soil temperatures reach around 55-65°F (13-18°C). The seedlings quickly develop a root system and true leaves, entering the vegetative growth stage where the plant focuses on developing foliage and stems. As the temperatures increase and days lengthen, Sweet Pea 'John Gray' transitions to the flowering stage, producing fragrant flowers that are commonly pink or salmon-colored. After pollination, often by bees, the plant sets seed pods during the reproductive stage, eventually drying and releasing seeds for the next generation. In the senescence stage, as the growing season ends, especially with the first frosts or declining temperatures, the plant's foliage and stems wilt and die back. Sweet Pea 'John Gray' is an annual plant, completing its life cycle within one growing season, after which new plants must be grown from seeds the following year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: Sweet Pea 'John Gray' is typically propagated by seeds, which is the most popular and straightforward method. The best time for sowing Sweet Pea seeds is in late winter or early spring, allowing them to develop a strong root system before the growing season begins. To propagate, start by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften their hard coating. Next, plant the seeds about an inch deep (2.54 cm) in well-draining soil and space them about 2-3 inches apart (5-7.6 cm). Provide a support structure for the seedlings to climb on as Sweet Peas are climbing plants. Keep the soil moist until germination, which usually occurs within 7-10 days. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final growing positions.
