Sweet Pea ‘Mrs. R. Penney’

Lathyrus annuus

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Toxic
  • Vine

Description

We saw this variety at a garden show in England and it stopped me dead in my tracks. Long, grass-like foliage is topped with glowing salmon-orange flowers. While similar to ‘Hotham Red’, ‘Mrs R Penney’ has larger blooms that are more orange in color. 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: 48 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 saw this variety at a garden show in England and it stopped me dead in my tracks. Long, grass-like foliage is topped with glowing salmon-orange flowers. While similar to ‘Hotham Red’, ‘Mrs R Penney’ has larger blooms that are more orange in color. 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: 48 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

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.