Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Wedding Day'
ABOUT
The sweet pea 'Wedding Day' is an ornamental flowering plant known for its charming and fragrant flowers. This particular variety is celebrated for its pristine and elegant blossom appearance, which makes it a favored choice for special occasions such as weddings, hence the name 'Wedding Day'. The flowers are usually a creamy white, embodying a sense of purity and simplicity, and they often feature delicate, ruffled petals that add texture and a romantic appeal. These blooms are noteworthy for their intense and sweet fragrance, which can be quite captivating in a garden setting. The plant itself typically displays a climbing habit, using tendrils to grasp onto supports and structures. The foliage is comprised of bright green leaves, which are pinnate, with multiple leaflets arrayed along a central stem, providing a lush backdrop for the flowers. The sweet pea 'Wedding Day' can create an alluring display when trained up a trellis or fence, and it is also popular for cutting gardens due to the long stems that are well-suited for floral arrangements. This combination of enchanting fragrance, delightful white petals, and vibrant foliage makes the sweet pea 'Wedding Day' a sought-after choice among gardeners and florists alike.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea.
Common names
Orobus odoratus, Lathyrus latifolius, Lathyrus tingitanus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea, specifically the variety 'Wedding Day', has parts that are toxic if ingested. The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant, containing compounds known as aminopropionitrile and alkaloids that can lead to a condition called lathyrism if consumed in large quantities. Lathyrism is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, respiratory difficulty, convulsions, and is potentially fatal if not treated.
To pets
Sweet pea can be toxic to pets, including cats and dogs, if ingested. The seeds contain compounds that can cause lathyrism, leading to symptoms such as muscle tremors, seizures, and paralysis. Chronic ingestion may result in skeletal deformities and lethargy. It is essential to prevent pets from consuming any part of the plant, especially the seeds.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
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 Value: Sweet pea 'Wedding Day' is known for its beautiful flowers that add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: This variety of sweet pea is prized for its delightful fragrance, which can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Versatility in Landscaping: The sweet pea 'Wedding Day' can be used in various landscaping designs, such as climbing trellises, borders, or as cut flowers for indoor decoration.
- Seasonal Color: The plant provides a seasonal display of color, typically blooming in the spring and early summer months.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet peas, including 'Wedding Day', are generally easy to cultivate, making them a good choice for novice gardeners.
- Fast Growing: This species is known for its rapid growth, quickly covering trellises or fences and providing a lush backdrop or screen.
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 'Wedding Day' can be used in potpourri blends for its sweet fragrance, adding a natural and soft perfume to your home.
- The vines of sweet pea plants can serve as natural trellises for other climbing plants, providing support for them to grow.
- Fine artists sometimes use the delicate flowers of sweet pea 'Wedding Day' to create botanical illustrations and practice their floral drawing skills.
- In the kitchen, the vibrant petals of sweet pea 'Wedding Day' can be used to decorate cakes and desserts, although they are not edible and must be removed before consumption.
- Craft enthusiasts can use dried sweet pea flowers to make homemade paper, embedding the petals into the pulp for a decorative touch.
- Educators and parents can use sweet pea 'Wedding Day' to illustrate plant growth cycles and pollination techniques for children in an educational setting.
- Photographers often use sweet pea 'Wedding Day' as a prop or backdrop in portrait and macro photography, thanks to its appealing blooms.
- Event planners can incorporate cut sweet pea 'Wedding Day' vine garlands as part of eco-friendly biodegradable decor for weddings or other celebrations.
- Those interested in crafts can use sweet pea 'Wedding Day' vines as a base material to create natural wreaths or other green arrangements.
- Gardeners might plant sweet pea 'Wedding Day' near seating areas to enjoy the fragrance and to attract pollinators like butterflies and bees to their gardens.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySweet pea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Blissful Pleasure: Sweet peas, which include the 'Wedding Day' variety, are often associated with pleasure and bliss, making them a common choice for happy occasions like weddings.
- Farewell or Goodbye: Sweet peas can symbolize a fond farewell or goodbye, making them fitting for farewells or to wish someone good luck on a new journey.
- Thank You: Giving someone sweet peas can be a way of saying "thank you" for a kind deed or for being in one's life, acknowledging gratitude through their delicate fragrance and beauty.
- Delicate Pleasure: The delicate and fragrant nature of sweet peas signifies a delicate or subtle pleasure, possibly referencing the small joys in life or refined taste.
- Lasting Pleasure: As sweet peas have a short vase life, they have come to symbolize a pleasure that is not everlasting, prompting one to enjoy the beauty and scent while it lasts.
WaterSweet peas should be watered deeply once the soil begins to dry out, typically every week or so, depending on climate conditions. Applying 1 to 1.5 gallons per square yard of soil every week should suffice, but ensure that you adjust watering frequency during hotter or drier periods. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew issues; instead, water at the base of the plants. During the growing season, consistent moisture is key, but be careful to avoid waterlogging as this can lead to root rot.
LightSweet peas thrive in a spot that receives full sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. They prefer a position where they can bask in the morning sun but are protected from the intense heat of the late afternoon. Optimal growth is achieved when they are planted in an area that provides bright but indirect light during the hottest part of the day.
TemperatureSweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and perform best when daytime temperatures are between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but prolonged exposure to extremes can be detrimental to their growth. An ideal range to maintain for optimal growth would be 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning sweet peas is essential to promote bushy growth and ensure abundant blooms. They should be pinched back when they are about 4 to 6 inches tall to encourage side shoots. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to prevent the plants from going to seed, which will prolong the flowering season. The best time for pruning and deadheading is in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet Pea 'Wedding Day' thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A good mix for planting would be a combination of garden loam, compost, and well-rotted manure to provide plenty of organic matter. Adding perlite or sand can improve drainage.
RepottingSweet Peas, including 'Wedding Day,' are generally grown as annuals, so repotting is not usually necessary. However, if started in containers, they should be transplanted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
Humidity & MistingSweet Pea 'Wedding Day' prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to a range of conditions. It does not require any specific humidity adjustments when grown outdoors in its ideal climate.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Plant in deep pots, use trellises, bright indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, support with trellis, fertile soil.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Sweet Pea 'Wedding Day' begins with seed germination, which typically occurs when soil temperatures reach around 55-65°F (13-18°C) in the spring. Once the seeds sprout, the seedlings rapidly develop a strong root system and vigorous climbing stems, with tendrils emerging to support their growth. The plants quickly progress to the vegetative stage, growing leaves and stems as they climb towards sunlight. The flowering stage follows, with 'Wedding Day' producing abundant fragrant blooms that are often white or cream-colored, attracting pollinators to the garden. After pollination, the plant sets seed pods, and once they mature, they can be harvested for future sowing or left to self-seed in the garden. At the end of the growing season, the annual Sweet Pea 'Wedding Day' completes its life cycle, having gone from seed to seed within one year, and then dies after the first hard frost.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Sweet Pea 'Wedding Day' is by sowing seeds. This is typically done in late winter or early spring, aiming for a period about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. To begin, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coats. Then, sow them about 1 inch deep in a well-draining soil mix, spacing them several inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10 to 20 days. Once seedlings have emerged and grown strong enough, they can be transplanted to their final growing location outdoors, ensuring frost risk has passed. This straightforward seed sowing process is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in propagating new Sweet Pea plants.
