Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Noel Sutton'

Names

• Family

  Fabaceae.

• Synonyms

  Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea.

• Common names

  Lathyrus odoratus

Toxicity

• To humans

  Sweet pea, including the variety 'Noel Sutton', is considered toxic if ingested in large quantities. It contains amino acids such as lathyrogens, which can cause a condition known as lathyrism if consumed regularly over a long period. Lathyrism can result in symptoms such as muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially irreversible neurological damage. However, occasional ingestion of small quantities, such as a few seeds, is unlikely to cause serious issues, but may still result in milder symptoms like stomach upset.

• To pets

  Sweet pea, including the 'Noel Sutton' variety, is also toxic to pets like cats and dogs. It contains amino acids that can cause lathyrism when ingested in substantial amounts over time. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures, tremors, and in severe, chronic cases, it can lead to more serious neurological effects, such as paralysis or even death, if not treated properly. It is advised to keep pets from consuming any part of the plant to avoid these toxic effects.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Annuals

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Blue

• Height

  6 feet (1.8 meters)

• Spread

  1 feet (0.3 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  7

• Native area

  Mediterranean

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Lathyrus odoratus 'Noel Sutton', commonly known as Sweet Pea, produces vibrant blue-violet flowers that add striking color to gardens and landscapes.
• Fragrance: Sweet Peas are well-known for their sweet and delightful fragrance, which enhances the sensory enjoyment of a garden or outdoor space.
• Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, providing a natural and elegant touch to indoor floral arrangements.
• Vertical Gardening: With its climbing nature, Sweet Pea can be grown on trellises, fences, and other vertical supports, maximizing garden space and creating beautiful green walls.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract butterflies and bees, promoting pollination and supporting the local ecosystem.
• Seasonal Interest: Sweet Peas are usually grown as annuals, offering seasonal interest and the opportunity to change the look of the garden each year.
• Easy to Grow: They are relatively easy to cultivate from seed and can be grown in a variety of climates, making them accessible to gardeners of different skill levels.
• Edible Decoration: While not commonly eaten, Sweet Pea flowers are sometimes used to decorate cakes and pastries, though it is vital to ensure they are free from pesticides and other chemicals.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Sweet pea 'Noel Sutton' can be used in educational settings, such as schools and botanical gardens, to teach plant biology and the importance of pollination, with its large, colorful flowers functioning as visual aids.
• They can serve as a natural dye source; the petals of sweet peas can be used to extract color for use in natural fabric dyeing processes, providing hues in the pink and purple spectrum.
• The aromatic flowers can be placed in bowls of water for a simple and natural room fragrance, offering a subtle fresh scent without the use of artificial air fresheners.
• Sweet pea vines can create a visual barrier in the garden, which can be used to delineate spaces or to offer privacy when grown on trellises or fences.
• The flowers can be used for bookmark decoration; dried sweet pea flowers can be pressed and used in the crafting of decorative bookmarks.
• As part of a sensory garden, the plant's fragrance and soft texture can provide a sensory experience for people with visual impairments or other disabilities.
• Their strong stems can be used as a natural support for other, more delicate climbing plants in the garden, thus providing a functional companion planting.
• Artists may use sweet pea flowers as a subject in botanical illustrations or photography, capturing their beauty in various artistic mediums.
• The twining tendrils of sweet peas can be inspirational in design and architecture, influencing patterns and structures that mimic the natural curling shapes.
• During special occasions like weddings or garden parties, sweet pea flowers can be floated in decorative water features or fountains as part of the event's floral arrangements.

Feng Shui

The Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Delicate Pleasure: Sweet pea, including the 'Noel Sutton' variety, often symbolizes delicate pleasure, hinting at the joy and bliss in the finer, subtler things in life.
• Departure and Goodbye: Sweet pea is sometimes used to say goodbye or to indicate that someone is leaving, due to its fleeting beauty and the way it can evoke a sense of nostalgia.
• Thankfulness: The Sweet pea flower is a symbol of gratitude. It can be used to express thanks for a good time or to show appreciation for someone's company.
• Blissful Pleasure: The flower represents the idea of experiencing pure, unadulterated joy, often associated with the innocence of childhood or a sweet memory.
• Lasting Pleasure: While some flowers symbolize a fleeting moment, Sweet peas can represent pleasures that are remembered and cherished over time.
• Friendship: Due to its delicate and appealing fragrance, the Sweet pea also signifies strong bonds of friendship.