Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Marie's Melody'
ABOUT
Lathyrus odoratus 'Marie's Melody', commonly known as sweet pea 'Marie's Melody', is a captivating flowering plant notable for its attractive blooms and pleasant fragrance. The plant typically features compound leaves with multiple leaflets that exhibit a delicate, and sometimes tendril-like, growth pattern, allowing them to grasp onto supports and climb. The flowers of 'Marie's Melody' sweet pea are particularly striking, presenting a mix of soft pastel shades including pinks, lavenders, and creamy whites, often showcasing a bi-color or gently blended effect. The blossoms are butterfly-shaped, composed of large, upright 'standard' petals at the back and smaller 'wing' petals below, exuding a delightful, strong scent that is both sweet and floral. Sweet pea 'Marie's Melody' adds a romantic touch to any garden or floral arrangement with its elegant and aromatic flowers.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Annual Sweet Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea is known to be toxic when ingested in large quantities due to its constituent chemical called beta-aminopropionitrile. This substance can lead to a condition known as lathyrism when consumed consistently over a prolonged period. Symptoms of lathyrism include muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, it can affect the respiratory system. However, casual contact or ingestion in small amounts is unlikely to cause serious harm.
To pets
Sweet pea is also toxic to pets, with the potential to cause similar issues as in humans if ingested in significant amounts. The primary toxic principle, beta-aminopropionitrile, leads to lathyrism, which can cause symptoms like lethargy, convulsions, and in extreme cases paralysis especially in hind limbs, potentially affecting the respiratory system. Animals would need to consume a considerable amount over time for severe symptoms of toxicity to develop.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Lathyrus odoratus 'Marie's Melody', commonly known as Sweet Pea, provides vibrant colors and a unique pattern on each flower, adding beauty to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: Sweet Peas are renowned for their delightful scent, which can create a pleasant atmosphere in any garden or floral arrangement.
- Attracts Pollinators: Sweet Peas produce nectar-rich flowers that attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, aiding in the pollination process.
- Versatility: They can be grown in borders, containers, and as cut flowers, making them versatile for various garden designs and indoor decorations.
- Climbing Habit: With their climbing ability, Sweet Peas can be used to cover trellises, fences, and other vertical structures, providing vertical interest in the garden.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet Pea is relatively easy to cultivate, making it suitable for novice gardeners or those with limited experience.
- Seasonal Color: They are typically grown as cool season annuals, offering early spring to summer flowering when many other plants are not yet in bloom.
- Genetic Diversity: Sweet Peas have been extensively bred for a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing gardeners to choose from a vast selection to suit personal tastes.
- Garden Heritage: Sweet Peas have a long history in horticulture and are often grown for traditional or heritage gardens, connecting present-day gardeners with historical gardening practices.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Sweet pea 'Marie's Melody' can be used in potpourris due to its fragrant flowers, adding a pleasant scent to the mixture.
- The petals of the sweet pea can be used to make natural dyes for fabric, producing a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- As an educational tool, sweet pea can be grown in schools to teach children about plant biology and the process of pollination.
- These flowers can be used in culinary presentations as an edible decoration, although they are not typically consumed.
- In artistic crafts, the stems and flowers can be pressed and used in creating botanical art pieces or herbarium sheets.
- Sweet pea vines can be used in weaving small baskets or decorative items when dried and treated properly.
- The vibrant colors of sweet pea flowers make them useful for color-themed garden design or floral art competitions.
- Florists can use the stems of sweet peas to create natural flower crowns or bridal bouquets.
- In photography and film, sweet peas can be employed to add natural vibrancy and aesthetic appeal to sets and scenes.
- For hobbyist perfume-making, sweet pea petals can be used as a botanical element to infuse oils with their sweet fragrance.
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- Blissful Pleasure: Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as sweet pea, often symbolizes blissful pleasure due to its delicate and sweet fragrance, evoking a sense of delight and enjoyment.
- Goodbye and Departure: Sweet pea can also represent saying farewell or goodbye, as it was traditionally given to someone who was about to leave on a journey or at the end of a pleasant visit.
- Delicate Pleasures: Reflecting its dainty blossoms, the sweet pea is associated with delicate, ephemeral pleasures that are to be cherished, much like its brief but beautiful flowering season.
- Gratitude: Giving someone sweet peas can be a way to express gratitude for a lovely time or for their presence in your life, as the flower's lovely scent and appearance convey a heartfelt thanks.
- Kindness: With its soft appearance and inviting fragrance, sweet peas often symbolize kindness, making them an ideal gift when you want to acknowledge someone's gentle nature or an act of kindness.
WaterSweet peas, including 'Marie's Melody', prefer to be kept evenly moist without being waterlogged. They should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per plant, to ensure that the moisture reaches the deeper roots. During dry or hot spells, the frequency of watering may need to increase to twice per week. It's best to water in the morning to allow foliage to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Overhead watering should be avoided; rather, water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves and flowers dry.
LightSweet peas like 'Marie's Melody' grow best in full sun, meaning they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Ideally, they should be placed in a spot where they’d receive morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in regions with very hot summers. However, they can tolerate partial shade, but too little light will lead to fewer blooms.
TemperatureSweet peas, such as 'Marie's Melody', thrive in cooler temperatures and can be grown where the temperature ranges between 55°F and 65°F. They can survive a light frost and usually perform well when nighttime temperatures are between 50°F and 55°F. They tend to falter when temperatures exceed 80°F, so they are most commonly planted in early spring.
PruningSweet peas, including 'Marie's Melody', benefit from regular deadheading to encourage continuous blooming. Remove spent flowers and seed pods as soon as they appear to divert energy back to flower production. Light pruning can be done throughout the blooming season. The best time to prune is when the flowers start to fade.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Peas prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5-7.5. A mix containing loamy garden soil, well-rotted manure, and compost will encourage healthy growth. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, and consider adding bone meal for phosphorus supply to promote strong root development.
RepottingSweet Peas, being annuals, are typically not repotted as they complete their life cycle in one season. Instead, they should be sown directly where they are to flower or started in biodegradable pots that can be planted whole to avoid root disturbance.
Humidity & MistingSweet Peas thrive best in moderate humidity conditions. They tolerate a wide humidity range but avoid overly humid environments that might promote fungal diseases. Aim for a humidity level similar to what is found outdoors in temperate climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and cool temperatures for Sweet Peas.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade and support with trellis or netting.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCommonly known as Sweet Pea 'Marie's Melody', this plant begins its life as a hard-coated seed that requires soaking or scarification to encourage germination. The seed sprouts in spring, developing into a young seedling with tender stems and the first true leaves. As it matures, it grows rapidly, with climbing tendrils supporting its ascent if provided with a trellis or support structure. Throughout late spring and summer, 'Marie's Melody' produces fragrant, ruffled flowers in a mix of pink and cream colors, which attract pollinators and can be cut for bouquets. After flowering, the plant sets seed in the form of pods, and as the growing season ends, these seeds mature and can be collected for future planting before the plant begins to wither. With the arrival of cold weather or at the end of its annual growth cycle, the above-ground part of the Sweet Pea 'Marie's Melody' dies back, completing its life cycle, although its seeds remain dormant until the next suitable growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating Sweet Pea 'Marie's Melody' is by sowing seeds. The best time to start this process is from late winter to early spring, typically from January to March, depending on the local climate. To propagate, seeds should initially be nicked or filed slightly before soaking in warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell. This pretreatment increases the chances of germination. Then, they should be sown in pots filled with moist seed compost, at a depth of about 1 inch (2.5 cm), and placed in a cool, bright place until germination, which generally takes 10-21 days. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be hardened off and transplanted outside after the risk of frost has passed.
