Sweet pea 'Lady T Cherub' Lathyrus odoratus var. nanellus 'Lady T Cherub' (Cherub Series)
ABOUT
'Lady T' is a compact but vigorous annual climber with greyish mid-green leaves composed of leaflets. From summer to autumn it produces racemes of 2-4 fragrant flowers with bright cerise-pink standards and magenta-pink wings
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Annual Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Sweetpea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus var. nanellus 'Lady T Cherub'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2-11
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Lathyrus odoratus 'Lady T Cherub' produces vibrant and fragrant blooms that add visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Pollinator Friendly: Its flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: This variety is known for being easy to cultivate, which makes it accessible for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Compact Growth: As part of the Cherub Series, it has a more compact growth habit, making it suitable for smaller spaces such as containers or limited garden areas.
- Climbing Habit: Its tendrils enable it to climb, providing vertical interest and the ability to cover trellises, fences, or other structures.
- Cut Flower Use: The stems of sweet peas are long-lasting when cut, making them ideal for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Seasonal Interest: Typically blooming in late spring through early summer, it offers seasonal interest in the garden during this time.
- Variety of Colors: It comes in a range of color options, offering flexibility for garden color schemes.
- Heritage and Tradition: Sweet peas have a long history of cultivation and are often associated with tradition and nostalgia in gardening.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some climbing plants, sweet peas tend to be non-invasive and easier to manage in a garden setting.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cut Flower Arrangements: Sweet Peas, due to their vibrant colors and pleasant fragrance, are frequently used in fresh cut flower arrangements to enhance the aesthetic appeal of bouquets.
- Education and Research: Sweet Peas are often used in genetics and botany education because of their historical role in the study of heredity and the ease with which they can be bred to exhibit certain characteristics.
- Natural Dyes: The petals of Sweet Peas can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of colors from blues to pinks depending on the pH of the solution used in the dyeing process.
- Garden Design: Sweet Peas are used in garden design to create visually striking vertical elements, as they can climb trellises and fences, adding height and color to garden spaces.
- Ecoscaping: They can also be integrated into ecoscaping plans to attract beneficial insects to the garden, such as bees and butterflies, for pollination purposes.
- Art and Photography: The beauty of Sweet Peas makes them a popular subject for artists and photographers looking to capture the intricacy and vibrancy of flowers.
- Companion Planting: Sweet Peas can be used in companion planting strategies to enhance the growth of certain vegetables, working in synergy in the garden environment.
- Social Events: Their appealing look and scent make them suitable for decoration at social events such as weddings, garden parties, and other celebrations.
- Floral Crafts: Dried Sweet Pea flowers can be used in crafting, such as the creation of floral wreaths, sachets, and potpourri.
- Memory Gardens: Sweet Peas, with their memorable fragrance, are often planted in memory gardens as a living tribute to loved ones, invoking memories through scent.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Blissful Pleasure: Sweet pea is known for its delightful fragrance, symbolizing the pleasure that can be found in the sensual experiences of life.
- Goodbye: This flower is associated with farewells and leaving after a positive experience, as it often represents the wish for a fond memory to be remembered.
- Delicate Pleasures: Due to their delicate appearance and aroma, sweet peas are a symbol of the enjoyment of delicate and subtle things in life.
- Thankfulness: Gifting sweet peas can be an expression of thanks, to show appreciation for someone's presence or actions.
- Adieu: Historically, sweet peas symbolize adieu or a wish to say goodbye, often used in situations that mark the end of a journey or the conclusion of an event.
WaterSweet peas, including the Cherub series, prefer consistent moisture and should be watered once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on the environmental conditions, this usually translates to watering once or twice a week. It's important to water deeply, which means slowly applying water until it soaks several inches into the soil. For an average-sized plant, use about half a gallon per watering session to ensure the roots are sufficiently moisturized. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water more frequently to maintain the right moisture level.
LightSweet peas like 'Lady T Cherub' thrive in full sun but can tolerate part shade. The ideal location offers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. They bloomed best when provided with morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Avoid deep shade, as it can reduce flowering and make the plant more susceptible to diseases.
Temperature'Lady T Cherub' sweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate a minimum of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They flourish in temperatures ranging between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing these plants to temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, as they may fail to bloom and can wither in excessive heat.
PruningPruning helps maintain the shape of 'Lady T Cherub' sweet peas and encourages more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote further blooming. Prune any leggy or overgrown stems to keep the plant bushy and well-ventilated. The best time to prune is in the cooler part of the day, either early morning or late afternoon.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea requires well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amend the soil with well-rotted manure or compost before planting, and consider a balanced slow-release fertilizer for optimum growth.
RepottingSweet Peas, being annuals, generally do not require repotting as they complete their life cycle in one year and are typically not kept to regrow.
Humidity & MistingSweet Peas prefer moderate humidity conditions and will thrive outdoors where natural humidity levels are present.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, cool air, and rich soil for indoor Sweet Peas.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, enrich soil, support with trellis, water well.
Hardiness zone
Sweet Peas generally fall within USDA zones 2-11.
Life cycleLathyrus odoratus var. nanellus 'Lady T Cherub', commonly known as sweet pea, starts its lifecycle when seeds are sown in late winter or early spring. Germination occurs after a few weeks, given proper conditions of moisture and temperature, producing seedlings with initial leaves. The seedlings grow into climbing plants with tendrils, which require support, and develop compound leaves and a robust root system. Flower buds develop and bloom in late spring to early summer, showcasing the fragrant, colorful flowers characteristic of sweet peas. After pollination by insects, the plant sets seeds in pods, which mature by late summer and can be collected for next year's planting. Finally, as an annual plant, after seeding, the sweet pea completes its lifecycle and naturally withers with the first frosts in autumn.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
The Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus var. nanellus 'Lady T Cherub' (Cherub Series) is commonly propagated by seed. The best time to propagate sweet peas by seed is in late winter or early spring, aiming to plant them six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. To propagate sweet peas by seed, first, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell. After soaking, plant the seeds about 1 inch deep in a well-draining soil mix and space them about 2 to 3 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and maintain a temperature of around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius). Seeds typically germinate within 10 to 21 days, and once the seedlings have grown large enough to handle, they can be transplanted to their final growing location, ensuring they have ample support for climbing as they mature.
