Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Oban Bay'
ABOUT
The 'Oban Bay' is a variant of the sweet pea, characterized by its distinct sweet fragrance and attractive flowers. Its stems are adorned with pairs of leaf-like structures known as tendrils that help it cling and climb. The leaves are typically a medium green hue and are comprised of one or two leaflets with a terminal tendril. The sweet pea 'Oban Bay' produces delightful blooms with a soft, pastel blue color that gently fades to a creamy white at the edges, creating a delicate two-tone effect. Each bloom showcases a standard petal, also referred to as a banner, which is the large, uppermost petal, and wings, which are the lateral petals beneath. The flowers are typically arranged in clusters, giving the plant a lush, full appearance. You can expect this plant to exhibit a bushy and climbing habit, with stems extending outwards and upwards when supported. Given the proper care and environment, the 'Oban Bay' sweet pea will provide a showy display of color and scent throughout its flowering season. The overall impression of this plant is one of classic beauty and charm, making it a beloved addition to gardens for aesthetic and olfactory appeal.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Sweet Pea, Garden Pea, Everlasting Pea, Wild Pea.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus 'Oban Bay'
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, including the 'Oban Bay' variety, is a flowering plant whose seeds can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It contains a compound known as Lathyrism, which can cause a condition called "lathyrism" if seeds are eaten in significant amounts over time. Symptoms of acute poisoning from sweet pea seeds include muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially permanent limb deformities if consumption continues over a long period. Although ornamental sweet pea flower varieties are not usually grown for seed consumption, caution should be taken to prevent ingestion of the seeds, especially by children who might be attracted to them.
To pets
Sweet pea, including the 'Oban Bay' variety, is toxic to pets as well. Similar to humans, the seeds of the plant contain amino acids that can be harmful if ingested in significant amounts. Symptoms of sweet pea poisoning in pets can include lethargy, weakness, seizures, and in severe cases, if large quantities of seeds are consumed, it can lead to paralysis or even death. It is especially important to keep pets away from the seeds of sweet peas to avoid these potential health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters
Spread
1 foot (0.30 meters
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value - The plant features beautiful, showy flowers that enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators - It attracts bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for many plants and crops.
- Scent - Sweet pea flowers are known for their delightful fragrance, which can add a pleasant aroma to gardens.
- Cutting Garden - The blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements, maintaining their scent and color.
- Versatility - Can be grown in a variety of settings including borders, flower beds, and containers.
- Privacy - When grown on trellises or fences, the plant can act as a natural privacy screen.
- Garden Structure - Its climbing nature allows it to add vertical interest in the garden, which can be visually pleasing.
- Easy to Grow - Sweet peas are generally easy to grow and maintain, making them suitable for novice gardeners.
- Variety of Colors - Available in a wide range of colors, which provides for personalization of garden color schemes.
- Seasonal Interest - Blooms in spring and early summer, providing color during these seasons.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Companion Planting: Sweet pea 'Oban Bay' can be grown alongside vegetables in gardens to attract pollinators, benefiting the yield of vegetable crops.
- Biodegradable Cups: Dried sweet pea seed pods can be crafted into small, biodegradable containers or cups for starting other seeds indoors.
- Natural Dye: The flowers of sweet pea 'Oban Bay' can be used to create natural dyes for coloring textiles or crafting materials.
- Floral Art: The stems and flowers may be used in floral art arrangements for competitions due to their attractive shape and fragrance.
- Education: Sweet pea 'Oban Bay' can be included in school gardening programs to educate students about plant growth and breeding.
- Garden Aesthetics: These plants can be used to create living walls or privacy screens with their vining growth habit in ornamental gardens.
- Photography Prop: Owing to their visually appealing flowers, sweet pea plants are often used as props in garden photography.
- Memory Gardens: Sweet pea 'Oban Bay' with its pleasant scent, can be planted in memory gardens as a sensory plant to evoke memories.
- Herbarium Specimens: The attractive flowers of sweet pea 'Oban Bay' may be collected, pressed, and dried for the creation of herbarium specimens for botanical study.
- Seed Trading: Gardeners often collect and trade sweet pea seeds, including the 'Oban Bay' variety, as part of seed swapping communities.
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 Pleasure: Sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus 'Oban Bay', is often associated with the delicate and fleeting pleasures of life, reminiscent of its sweet fragrance and tender blossoms.
- Goodbye and Departure: In the language of flowers, sweet pea can symbolize saying goodbye or the end of a journey because it may represent the wish for a fond farewell or safe travels.
- Blissful Pleasure: The blissful scent and the beauty of the sweet pea flowers are linked to the idea of experiencing pure, unadulterated joy or pleasure.
- Thank You for a Lovely Time: Sweet pea is often used to express gratitude for a shared special moment or for the pleasant time spent with someone.
- Delicacy: Due to its gentle and fragile appearance, sweet pea can represent delicate or exquisite feelings and emotions.
WaterSweet Pea 'Oban Bay' should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. This encourages the plant to develop a strong root system. During hot spells or dry seasons, watering should be increased to twice a week. Approximately one to two gallons of water should be used for each plant, depending on the plant size and the weather conditions. Be sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the foliage wet which can lead to fungal diseases.
LightSweet Pea 'Oban Bay' thrives best in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be less abundant. Choose a location that gets plenty of morning sun and some afternoon shade to protect from the intense heat of the day.
TemperatureSweet Pea 'Oban Bay' prefers a temperate range with daytime temperatures around 65°F to 70°F and nighttime temperatures slightly lower. They can survive minimum temperatures of 50°F but growing them in temperatures above 80°F can cause them to stop flowering. The ideal temperature for promoting vigorous growth and abundant blooms is between 55°F and 65°F.
PruningSweet Pea 'Oban Bay' should be pruned to promote bushier growth and more flowers. Pinch off the tips of the plants when they are about 4 to 6 inches tall to encourage side shoots. Regularly remove faded blooms (deadheading) to prolong the flowering period. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet pea 'Oban Bay' thrives in rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A good mix consists of equal parts compost, loamy garden soil, and sharp sand to ensure proper drainage. For optimum growth, ensure the soil is fertile by amending with organic matter.
RepottingSweet peas, including the 'Oban Bay' variety, do not generally require repotting as they are annuals. They are sown directly where they are to flower, so regular repotting is not a common practice with this plant.
Humidity & MistingSweet pea 'Oban Bay' prefers moderate humidity levels, similar to outdoor conditions. It does not have specific humidity requirements, but being kept in conditions that replicate its natural outdoor environment would be beneficial.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and cool temperatures for sweet pea 'Oban Bay'.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, well-drained soil, and provide support for climbing.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Sweet Pea 'Oban Bay' begins with seed germination, which occurs in late winter to early spring when the seeds are sown in well-draining soil and provided with adequate moisture and warmth. After germination, seedlings emerge and begin to establish a root system and grow their first true leaves. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative growth stage, developing a climbing habit with the support of trellises or stakes, and forms compound leaves and tendrils that enable it to grasp structures. The flowering stage follows, typically occurring in late spring to summer, where 'Oban Bay' produces fragrant, pastel-colored flowers that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed pods during the fruiting stage; as the pods mature, they can be harvested for seeds or allowed to disperse naturally. The plant is an annual, so after setting seed, it completes its life cycle and dies, relying on the germination of new seeds to continue the species' lineage the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
The Sweet Pea 'Oban Bay', a fragrant and colorful climbing plant, is commonly propagated through seeds. The best time to sow Sweet Pea seeds is in late winter to early spring, typically in March or April. Before planting, it is advisable to soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer coating, which can improve germination rates. Sow the seeds directly into pots filled with good-quality potting mix, placing them about 1 inch deep (which is roughly 2.5 centimeters). Ensure that the pots are in a bright, cool place and keep the soil moist. Seedlings should emerge in approximately 10 to 14 days. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle and after the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors into their final growing positions, where they should be provided with support for climbing.
