Sweet pea 'Phoebe' Lathyrus odoratus 'Phoebe'

Names

• Synonyms

  Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Peavine.

• Common names

  Lathyrus odoratus.

Characteristics

• Life 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

  7

• Native area

  Mediterranean

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Sweet pea 'Phoebe' produces beautiful, fragrant flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects which can help pollinate other plants in the garden.
• Ease of Growth: As a hardy annual, it is relatively easy to grow from seed and tends to require minimal maintenance once established.
• Variety of Uses: Can be used in garden beds, borders, containers, and trellises or for cut flowers, adding versatility to garden design.
• Habitat Enrichment: Sweet pea 'Phoebe' can contribute to the biodiversity of the area by providing habitat for fauna.
• Seasonal Interest: With its spring and early summer blooming season, it adds interest to the garden during those times.
• Fragrance: The sweet scent of the flowers can be very pleasant and is often used in perfumes and scented products.
• Edible Flowers: While not unique to this variety, sweet pea flowers are edible and used in culinary applications, although other parts of the plant can be toxic.
• Screening: Sweet pea plants can grow tall with support and provide a natural, fragrant screen for privacy.
• Psychological Well-being: The process of gardening and the beauty of the flowers can contribute to mental and emotional well-being.

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's colorful blossoms and fragrant scent make them an excellent choice for natural, eco-friendly confetti at weddings or festive events.
• The stems and vines of sweet pea can be woven into decorative wreaths and garlands for seasonal or event-specific decor.
• Sweet pea flowers can be used in the art of pressed flowers, which are then used to create bookmarks, greeting cards, and other paper crafts.
• You can employ sweet pea flowers in photography to add a natural and vibrant pop of color to stylized photoshoots and product photography.
• The climbing ability of sweet pea plants makes them ideal for creating living curtains or privacy green walls in garden spaces.
• The variety of colors sweet pea flowers come in can be used for teaching children about colors and the natural diversity of plant life.
• Sweet pea flowers are used in the culinary world as a decorative garnish for dishes, adding a touch of elegance without being consumed.
• When dried, sweet pea petals can add a subtle fragrance to potpourris or sachets used to freshen up drawers and closets.
• In some cultures, sweet pea flowers are used as a way to communicate a message, as part of the Victorian language of flowers, where they can symbolize departure or goodbyes.
• Sweet pea plants can be used in educational settings, such as schools or community gardens, to teach horticulture and the growth cycle of flowering plants.

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

• Blissful Pleasure: Lathyrus odoratus, commonly known as Sweet Pea, often symbolizes blissful pleasure due to its sweet fragrance and delicate blooms that evoke a sense of enjoyment and contentment.
• Goodbye: Sweet Pea can also represent a farewell or a good-bye, perhaps because the flower is often given when someone is departing, symbolizing a wish for a pleasant journey or sweet memories.
• Gratitude: The bloom is also a symbol of gratitude and is used to express thanks for a good time, making it suitable for thank you bouquets and gestures of appreciation.
• Delicate or Blissful Pleasure: The delicate nature of the flower emphasizes its association with delicate, fleeting, pleasures, underlining the idea that happiness can often be found in the subtle, tender moments of life.
• Departure or Change: As a symbol of goodbyes, Sweet Pea implies a change of state or a departure from the familiar, which can be either literal, as in leaving a place, or metaphorical, as in personal growth and change.