Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Margaret Joyce'
ABOUT
The sweet pea known as 'Margaret Joyce' presents a delightful display of pastel blossoms that exude a sweet fragrance. Its intricate flowers feature a combination of soft pink and creamy blush tones, often with delicate veining or a gentle gradation of hues that give each bloom a unique character. The petals are gently ruffled and arranged in a classic sweet pea shape, with a broader standard petal standing upright at the back and smaller wing petals flanking on the sides. These flowers grow in clusters, gracefully poised atop slender, climbing stems that boast a vibrant green coloration. The foliage consists of small leaflets and tendrils that swirl around any support structure, endowing 'Margaret Joyce' with a billowy, romantic look that is perfect for trellises, arbors, or fences in the garden. The blooms are favorites for cutting gardens as well, given their enchanting fragrance and delicate appearance which makes them ideal for floral arrangements. Throughout the blooming season, 'Margaret Joyce' sweet pea continually produces these lovely flowers, inviting pollinators to its scented embrace while providing a long-lasting display that is a testament to the timeless charm of this ornamental cultivar.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus 'Margaret Joyce'.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet peas, including the variety 'Margaret Joyce', contain a compound called beta-aminopropionitrile that can lead to a condition known as lathyrism if ingested in large quantities. Lathyrism is a neurological disease that can cause paralysis and muscle wasting. The more immediate symptoms of poisoning from sweet peas can include weakness, lethargy, and convulsions. Although cases of poisoning are rare and generally associated with ingesting large amounts of the seeds, it is advisable for humans to avoid consuming any part of the sweet pea plant.
To pets
Sweet peas are also toxic to pets due to the same compound, beta-aminopropionitrile, which can cause lathyrism in animals as well. Symptoms in pets after ingesting sweet peas may include vomiting, lethargy, convulsions, and if consumed in large quantities, more severe neurological effects such as paralysis. Particularly, animals that consume a large number of the seeds are at risk of these toxic effects. It is important to prevent pets from ingesting any part of the sweet pea plant to ensure their safety.
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
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' has beautifully colored flowers that can enhance the aesthetic value of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: This variety is known for its delightful scent, which can perfume the air in the surrounding area.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which can help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet peas are generally easy to grow and 'Margaret Joyce' is no exception, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
- Climbing Growth Habit: This variety can be trained to climb on trellises, arbors, and fences, allowing for versatile garden design.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms of 'Margaret Joyce' make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
- Seasonal Interest: Sweet peas are typically grown as annuals and can provide a burst of color in spring and summer gardens.
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 Arrangement: Sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' is commonly used in cut flower arrangements for its attractive blooms and fragrance, adding a touch of elegance to bouquets and floral displays.
- Educational Tool: The growth habits and genetics of sweet pea make it an ideal subject for teaching botany and genetics in schools, due to its relatively simple genome and Mendelian traits.
- Natural Dye: The petals of the sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, giving fabrics a subtle and natural hue.
- Art and Crafts: The flowers of the sweet pea can be pressed and used for various artworks or in crafts like homemade greeting cards and decoupage projects.
- Photography: Sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' with its stunning blooms, is a popular subject amongst garden photographers and botanical artists.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not edible, petals of sweet pea can be used to decorate cakes and desserts for a floral presentation; they must be removed before consumption.
- Scented Sachets: Dried sweet pea flowers can be used to fill sachets, lending their fragrance to wardrobes, drawers, and closets.
- Literary Inspiration: Its beauty and fragrance have inspired poets and writers, making sweet pea a symbol in literature for delicate pleasure or fleeting happiness.
- Garden Design: As a climbing plant, sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' can be strategically planted to create living walls or privacy screens in garden designs.
- Potpourri Ingredient: Dried sweet pea flowers can be mixed with other botanicals to create a fragrant potpourri for freshening indoor spaces.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Delicate Pleasures: The sweet pea's vibrant but delicate flowers often symbolize the enjoyment of pleasurable moments that are fleeting or transient.
- Goodbye and Departure: In the language of flowers, sweet peas can signify bidding farewell, perhaps because they can be given when someone is parting or leaving on a journey.
- Blissful Pleasure: The sweet aroma and graceful appearance of sweet peas are often associated with experiences of blissful pleasure, evoking a sense of satisfaction and contentment.
- Thankfulness: Giving sweet peas can be a way of expressing gratitude for a lovely time or for the kindness of another person.
- Delicate or Blissful Beauty: Sweet peas embody a type of beauty that is both exquisite and joy-inducing, representing a beauty that can be appreciated both aesthetically and emotionally.
WaterSweet peas, including 'Margaret Joyce', should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, these plants require about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant every week, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and soil type. In hot, dry periods, watering may be needed more frequently; while in cooler, wetter climates, less frequent watering might be necessary. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant to keep leaves and flowers dry. During the growing season, consistent moisture is important for healthy growth and blooming, but avoid waterlogging the soil to prevent root rot.
LightSweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' thrives in full sun conditions with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for planting sweet peas is in a location where they receive early morning sun, which is less intense, thus helping to maintain vibrant flower colors and prevent rapid fading. Partial shade can be tolerated, especially in hotter regions, to reduce stress during the peak heat of the day, but full sun is ideal for optimal growth and flowering.
TemperatureSweet peas like 'Margaret Joyce' prefer cool to moderate temperatures, with ideal growing conditions ranging between 55°F and 65°F. They can survive in temperatures as low as 25°F and as high as 75°F, but prolonged exposure to temperatures outside this range can impair growth and flowering. Sweet peas are often planted early in the season and are cool-season plants that may not fare well in the extreme heat of summer.
PruningPrune sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. Cutting sweet pea flowers for bouquets also serves as a form of pruning and encourages more blooms. The best time for major pruning or cutting back is early spring before new growth appears or after flowering has completed for the season. Thick, overcrowded growth may also be trimmed back to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet peas prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A good mix would include garden soil, compost, and a bit of sand to improve drainage.
RepottingSweet peas, being annuals, do not typically require repotting. Sow seeds annually or transplant once to outdoor locations.
Humidity & MistingSweet peas thrive in moderate humidity levels but are quite adaptable and do not require specific humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in well-lit area, with support for climbing and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide support for climbing, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' begins its life as a seed, which, when sown in either late winter indoors or directly in the soil in spring, will germinate within 10-21 days under optimal conditions. The seedlings then rapidly grow, developing a climbing stem and compound leaves, which require support to attach to as they mature. During the late spring and summer, the plants produce fragrant, pastel-hued flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers fade and the plant sets seed in the form of pea-like pods. Once mature, the seeds within the pods can be collected for planting in the following season. Eventually, as the weather cools, the annual sweet pea 'Margaret Joyce' completes its lifecycle and dies back, leaving behind seeds as its legacy for future growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagating Sweet Pea 'Margaret Joyce' is by sowing its seeds directly into the ground. The ideal time to start this process is in late winter or early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Seeds should be sowed about 1 inch deep (about 2.5 cm) and 2 to 3 inches apart (about 5 to 7.5 cm). To enhance germination, it’s recommended to nick the seed coat with a file or soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. Once sown, keep the soil moist until germination, which usually occurs in 10 to 21 days depending on soil temperature. After seedlings have emerged and grown sufficiently, they should be thinned to stand 6 inches apart (about 15 cm).
