Sweet Pea ‘Hotham Red’
Lathyrus annuus
Description
We discovered this variety while visiting England and fell in love. Plants are on the shorter side with long, grass-like foliage smothered with miniature, glowing coral flowers. After flowers fade, coppery bronze pods form. While the flowers don’t have any fragrance, they are worth growing for their unusual coloring and ability to double as a foliage. Their adorable tendrils add the most magical touch to arrangements. This plant is wonderful in the garden and also suitable for containers.
Please note: Unlike garden peas, sweet pea seeds are poisonous if ingested. Use caution around children and pets.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: when 4 to 6 in tall
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: when 4 to 6 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
In mild areas, seed can be sown in pots in the fall, overwintered in a sheltered spot, and planted out in spring. Everywhere else, sow seed 10 to 12 weeks before last frost and transplant out right around last frost. Provide a strong trellis or support for vines to climb.
Harvesting/Vase Life
While flowers are beautiful, their stems are so short that they are not typically grown as a cut flower. Instead of harvesting individual blooms, harvest entire vining stems. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Details
Description
We discovered this variety while visiting England and fell in love. Plants are on the shorter side with long, grass-like foliage smothered with miniature, glowing coral flowers. After flowers fade, coppery bronze pods form. While the flowers don’t have any fragrance, they are worth growing for their unusual coloring and ability to double as a foliage. Their adorable tendrils add the most magical touch to arrangements. This plant is wonderful in the garden and also suitable for containers.
Please note: Unlike garden peas, sweet pea seeds are poisonous if ingested. Use caution around children and pets.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: when 4 to 6 in tall
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: when 4 to 6 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
In mild areas, seed can be sown in pots in the fall, overwintered in a sheltered spot, and planted out in spring. Everywhere else, sow seed 10 to 12 weeks before last frost and transplant out right around last frost. Provide a strong trellis or support for vines to climb.
Harvesting/Vase Life
While flowers are beautiful, their stems are so short that they are not typically grown as a cut flower. Instead of harvesting individual blooms, harvest entire vining stems. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
