Give yourself a garden treat next summer – grow sweet peas! Despite anything you may have read to the contrary, sweet peas are easy to grow and graciously rewarding.
Unfortunately, overemphasis on cultural directions for exhibitors and experts has led gardeners to believe that growing sweet peas is complicated. This is far from the truth.
All you need to develop quality sweet peas is to follow the six simple steps on this page:
- Soil preparation
- Sowing seed
- Supporting plants
- Cultivating
- Watering
- Fertilizing
I realize that it would be presumptive on my part to pose as an expert for all the different sections of the country, so these are just general directions.
However, I have a definite opinion about the time of sowing in every area of the country as early as possible after the standard time of killing frosts has passed.
Of course, there is an exception to this rule in Florida and California, seeds sown in the fall will do far better than seeds planted in the spring.
Many years ago, one asked me why sweet peas retain their high position in public favor. Three answers came to me:
- Sweet peas possess an intrinsic beauty and fragrance.
- They are easily cultivated.
- They provide an abundant supply of flowers for a modest expenditure.
I feel sure that these reasons still hold good; in fact, the development of the Cuthbertson sweet peas has done even more to popularize the queen of annuals since the advent of the Spencer waved varieties.
Growing Exceptional Cuthbertson Sweet Peas
With the Cuthbertson strain, it is now possible for more people to grow sweet peas successfully, not only in the United States but in countries all over the world.
The advantages of the Cuthbertson sweet peas are vigorous growth, long stems, and large flowers. The exceptional clarity and brilliance of the colors are readily apparent by comparison.
While vacationing in British Columbia last summer, a friend asked me to see some of his Cuthbertson sweet peas.
I looked at the large bunch he held and replied that they were not Cuthbertson sweet peas since they lacked the typical clear, brilliant color.
A little earlier, I had spotted a row of Cuthbertson sweet peas in a garden in the village and promptly secured a bouquet for comparison. Unfortunately, my friend admitted there was a marked difference between them.
Fragrant Sweet Peas
Numerous statements have been made that Ike’s modern sweet pea has lost its perfume. To me, these statements are unfounded.
On the contrary, the smell of the modern sweet pea is delightful and, at times, just as overpowering as the Grandiflora sweet peas of old.
The Ferry-Morse Seed Company still maintains a supply of seeds of a dozen or more of the old-fashioned Grandiflora sweet peas and tests every year to see if there is any loss of perfume in the modern varieties. So far, we have failed to detect any loss.
It must be remembered, however. The fragrance given off by sweet pea blossoms varies according to the weather and other factors. So, one should be very careful before concluding that the modern sweet pea has lost its perfume.
Sweet Pea Varieties
In recommending varieties, my color preferences influence the chosen types.
My selection of 12 Cuthbertson sweet peas would be as follows:
- EVELYN, salmon, cream pink
- FRANK G., clear lavender
- JANET, White
- JIMMY, deep scarlet
- RUTH, deep rose pink
- TOMMY, clear medium blue
- DAVID, bright rose crimson
- COLINE, clear cerise
- CONNIE, chamois
- FRANCES, clear salmon pink
- DORIS, deep rose cerise
- WILLIAM, pink picotee on white background
Other colors are available, such as:
- Blush pink
- Cream
- Crimson
- Light blue
- Carmine
- Maroon
- Mauve
- Navy blue
- Rose
- Cream pink
The missing color among sweet peas is yellow, but I have not given up hope of someday seeing it in the garden.
I think it safe to state that interest in sweet peas has declined, at least in Great Britain, since no outstanding variety of sweet peas has been introduced.
In the United States, the impetus required to keep up interest in sweet peas has been provided through the introduction of the Cuthbertson strain.
They were, unfortunately, owing to the dollar situation in Great Britain. As a result, English seed merchants can’t import seeds from the United States, but when the restrictions are lifted, I feel confident that Cuthbertson sweet peas will find a ready market.
Many trials have been made in Great Britain; without exception, the results have been favorable for garden use and cutting.
44659 by Frank G. Cuthbertson