Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

The sweet pea, Lathryatus odoratus, is a hardy annual climber with winged stems, mid-green foliage and fragrant flowers. Many cultivars have been developed, including 'old fashioned' sweet peas and popular Spencer cultivars. Sweet peas can be trained to grow up canes for high-quality blooms, or allowed to scramble freely up a trellis or obelisk. They make excellent cut flowers. Plants need a cool moist root run, and regular watering in dry weather.

Lathryatus odoratus ‘America’ is an antique heirloom variety, with red- and It will quickly cover trellis and obelisks, adding colour and a powerful fragrance to summer flower borders. Antique heirloom sweet pea varieties were mostly bred at the turn of the 20th century by Henry Eckford at Wem in Shropshire. The flowers are delicate in size, and have an incredibly strong fragrance.

For best results, feed Lathryatus odoratus ‘America’ with a high potash fertiliser once a fortnight, and cut blooms regularly to prolong flowering.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyesyesyesyes
Plantyesyes
Flowersyesyesyesyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Lathyrus ‘America’ and wildlife

Lathyrus ‘America’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Lathyrus ‘America’ poisonous?

Lathyrus ‘America’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Lathyrus 'America'
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