Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'White Frills'
ABOUT
Sweet pea 'White Frills' is a showy, flowering plant renowned for its fragrant and attractive blooms. The flowers of this cultivar are pure white and noted for their ruffled or frilled edges, which give them a distinctive and elegant appearance. Each flower has a traditional sweet pea shape, featuring a larger, rounded standard petal that arches back over smaller wing petals and a keel at the base. The blooms grow in clusters atop slender, climbing stems, surrounded by pairs of narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are bright green. The plant is appreciated for its ability to climb with the aid of tendrils that coil around supports, allowing it to create a vertical display of lush foliage and cascading flowers. The sweet scent of 'White Frills' is particularly strong and can add a pleasant fragrance to any garden space or floral arrangement.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Lathyrus.
Common names
Lathyrus odoratus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet pea 'White Frills' contains toxic amino acids, particularly in the seeds and seed pods. These toxins can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. Consumption can lead to a condition called lathyrism, which can cause paralysis, labored breathing, convulsions, and potentially be fatal. Chronic ingestion might result in neurological problems such as ataxia and incoordination. It is crucial to avoid eating any part of the sweet pea 'White Frills' plant.
To pets
Sweet pea 'White Frills' is also toxic to pets. The seeds and seed pods contain amino acids that can be harmful when ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include vomiting, lethargy, seizures, tremors, and can be potentially fatal if consumed in large amounts. Chronic toxicity can lead to skeletal malformations and muscle weakness. As with humans, it is important to prevent pets from ingesting any part of the sweet pea 'White Frills' plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
2-11
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Lathyrus odoratus 'White Frills', commonly known as Sweet Pea, has ruffled white blossoms that add elegance and charm to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: The Sweet Pea is renowned for its delightful scent, enhancing the sensory experience of a garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: Sweet Peas are attractive to bees and butterflies, supporting local pollinator populations.
- Vertical Interest: Sweet Peas are climbing plants that can be trained on trellises or supports, adding height and structure to garden designs.
- Cut Flowers: The long-stemmed flowers are excellent for creating fragrant, fresh cut flower arrangements.
- Variety: Available in a wide range of colors and forms, Sweet Peas allow for diverse design and color schemes in gardening.
- Seasonal Color: Blooming in the spring and early summer, they provide seasonal color when many other plants are not yet in full display.
- Easy to Grow: Sweet Peas are generally easy to cultivate, making them suitable for gardeners of different skill levels.
- Edible Qualities: While not specific to 'White Frills', some parts of certain sweet pea varieties are edible, such as the young shoots of the perennial sweet pea.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic inspiration: Sweet peas, with their delicate form and appearance, have often served as inspiration for artists, illustrators, and designers, who incorporate their image into various forms of artwork and design.
- Education and research: In the horticultural and botanical fields, the sweet pea is used to educate students and researchers about plant biology, genetics, and hybridization techniques.
- Photography: Due to their striking appearance, sweet peas are a popular subject for photographers who wish to capture the intricate details of flowers in their work.
- Wedding decor: Sweet peas are used in wedding bouquets and arrangements, not only for their beauty but also for their sweet scent, contributing to the overall sensory experience of the event.
- Culinary decoration: While not edible, sweet peas can be used as a non-toxic decorative element to embellish cakes and dessert presentations.
- Perfume industry: The fragrance of sweet peas is sometimes mimicked in perfumes and scented products, although the actual plant extract is generally not used due to potential toxicity.
- Crafts: Dried sweet pea flowers can be used in potpourris or incorporated into homemade crafts, such as soaps or candles, for their appearance and residual fragrance.
- Floriculture studies: Sweet peas are often included in floricultural and gardening studies due to their popularity and the vast variety of colors and forms they exhibit.
- Seed trading: Gardeners and horticulturists collect and trade sweet pea seeds to propagate rare or unusual varieties, supporting a niche hobby community.
- Garden wildlife: The flowers of sweet peas can attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to a garden, making them useful for promoting local biodiversity.
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: The sweet pea is renowned for its delightful fragrance and delicate flowers, symbolizing the pleasures that can be found in the smallest of things.
- Goodbye: Sweet pea flowers can also represent farewells, perhaps due to their fleeting lifespan; they remind us to cherish the moments we have.
- Blissful Pleasure: Often associated with blissful pleasure, sweet pea blooms are a testament to the pure enjoyment and contentment in life's simple delights.
- Thank You: Giving someone sweet peas can be a way of saying thank you, thus it's commonly used to express gratitude for the time spent with someone or for something someone has done.
- Delicate or Blissful Memories: As a plant that can invoke nostalgic feelings because of its lovely scent and appearance, the sweet pea also symbolizes cherished memories or the yearning to recall happy times from the past.
WaterSweet peas prefer consistent moisture and should be watered when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. In general, watering once a week with about 1 inch of water should be sufficient, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and soil type. During hot or windy weather, sweet peas may need more frequent watering, possibly twice a week, to prevent the soil from drying out too much. Aim to water the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as wet leaves can lead to fungal diseases. Ensure the plant receives between 1/2 to 1 gallon of water each time to thoroughly soak the root zone.
LightSweet peas thrive in a location that receives full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for sweet peas will have well-draining soil and protection from strong afternoon sun if you live in a region with particularly hot summers. Partial shade in the afternoon can help prevent the flowers from fading too quickly.
TemperatureSweet peas flourish in cool to moderate temperatures, with ideal growing conditions being between 55°F to 65°F. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 20°F, making them resilient to light frosts. Sweet peas can withstand a maximum temperature of up to 75°F, but prolonged heat may reduce blooming and can lead to the plant's demise.
PruningPruning sweet peas encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch out the growing tip after the plant has developed several sets of leaves to stimulate side shoots. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to prolong the blooming period. The best time for more extensive pruning is in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet peas thrive in a rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix containing equal parts of peat, compost, and perlite would provide the necessary nutrients and drainage. Add a slow-release fertilizer at planting for best results.
RepottingSweet peas typically do not require frequent repotting as they are annual plants. They are usually sown directly where they are to flower or started in pots and transferred to the garden without the need for subsequent repotting.
Humidity & MistingSweet peas prefer moderate humidity and do well in outdoor conditions where the humidity is naturally regulated. They do not have specific humidity requirements, but they should be protected from excessively dry air.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temps, and moist, rich soil.
Outdoor
Place in full sun, cool area, enriched soil, adequate space.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleSweet pea 'White Frills' begins its life cycle as a seed, typically sown in late winter to early spring. After germination and emergence, the plant enters its vegetative growth stage, developing a robust root system, foliage, and climbing tendrils. Following the vegetative stage, the plant begins its reproductive phase, producing fragrant white ruffled flowers throughout the summer, which are popular for their beauty and scent. As the blooming period ends, the flowers give way to pods containing seeds, marking the maturity stage. These seed pods eventually dry and release seeds, completing the life cycle. With the onset of colder weather, the plant will die back, being an annual, and rely on those seeds for propagation the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Sweet pea 'White Frills' is commonly propagated through its seeds. The best time to sow sweet pea seeds is in late winter or early spring, to allow for a full growing season. To propagate, the seeds should first be nicked with a sharp knife or soaked in water for 24 hours to soften the hard outer shell and improve the chances of germination. Sow the seeds about 1 inch deep in well-draining soil and space them about 2 to 3 inches apart. Place them in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist. Germination typically occurs within 10 to 21 days, given the right conditions. Once the seedlings develop true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final growing location, ensuring they have support for climbing, as sweet peas are vining plants.
