Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Latifolius) is an award-winning climbing perennial, also known as the Everlasting Pea. It is a strong climber that forms racemes of up to 11 white to rose pea-like blooms. They will grow along the ground, searching for nearby vegetation or support structures to climb. They bloom all summer and can grow up to nine feet tall.
The scientific name Lathyrus Latifolius is derived from the Latin word “latifolius” meaning with broad leaves and “Lathyrus” meaning pea. Perennial Sweet Pea belongs to the family Fabaceae, which is a legume plant family. It is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back up year after year.
How to Plant
When planting Perennial Sweet Pea, it’s best to choose a spot in your garden that has partial sun or partial shade. It does best in on average, moist soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. As it grows and climbs, it will need something to cling to, like a trellis, fence, or support structure. Since it’s a tall climber, a wall or trellis will provide this structure while also allowing you to admire the beauty of the blooms as they climb.
If you choose to keep it potted, fill a pot with well-draining soil and plant it in the center of the pot. If you prefer to have it climb through a window sill, you can use a pot that attaches to the window sill for stability and maturing.
Meaning and Symbolism
Perennial Sweet Pea is a symbol of strong bonds between family and friends, and is a reminder that though we must part ways, the bond is still there. It’s a symbol of lasting love and friendship, and it was often exchanged as a token or a sign of deep affection.
The flower has also been used as a traditional house-warming gift in some cultures, where it was believed to bring luck and long-lasting relationships. As a symbol of good luck and optimism, it was used to wish success and prosperity. In some cultures, it was also believed to have magical healing powers.
History, Mythology and Religious Significance
Throughout history, this perennial climber has been associated with many beliefs. In Ancient Greek mythology, Perennial Sweet Pea was believed to have been created when one of the gods was so moved by the beauty of a mountain nymph, he turned her into a flower. This flower is believed to have been the Perennial Sweet Pea, which can be found on mountain slopes today.
In Christianity, Perennial Sweet Pea represent the love between Christ and the Church. It’s also associated with the Passion of Christ, due to its resemblance to the Crown of Thorns that he wore. It became a popular flower for Easter celebrations and is often included in bouquets for the season.
Flower Varieties and Their Defining Characteristics
The Perennial Sweet Pea is available in a wide variety of colors including pink, purple, red, and white. The blooms come in single, double, or triple forms, and they are often blotched and streaked. Most varieties feature a pleasant sweet pea scent.
White Angel is a white-flowered variety with small, lightly blotched blooms. Lady Griselda is a white to pale pink variety with single blooms. Royal Family is a bright red variety with a pleasant scent, double blooms, and lightly blotched petals. Blue Diamond is a tall variety with medium blue blooms and white blotches.
These are only a few of the varieties of Perennial Sweet Pea, and each variety has its own characteristics and traits that make it unique.
How To Pot and Repot
If your Perennial Sweet Pea is in a pot, you’ll need to periodically repot it as the plant grows and matures. Before repotting, thoroughly water the plant and make sure it is adequately moist. This will help the soil and roots to loosen easily when you transfer it to the new pot.
Choose a pot that is around two inches larger in diameter than your current one. Fill the pot with well-draining soil and place the Perennial Sweet Pea in the center of the pot. Gently fill the remaining space with soil and water thoroughly. Place the pot in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
How To Prune
To keep your Perennial Sweet Pea blooming and healthy, it needs to be pruned periodically. Pruning will encourage new growth, and keep the plant from becoming overgrown and unruly. When pruning, you should start by cutting off any spent blooms or any dead, diseased, or dried up stems. This will allow new blooms to form.
Next, you may need to cut back the stem tips in order to shape and control the size of the plant. To do this, you’ll want to find the shoot that you’d like to cut and cut it at the base. Make sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears and wear gloves to protect your hands.
How To Propagate
Propagating Perennial Sweet Pea can be done using both seeds and stem cuttings. Both methods are easy and effective. To propagate from seeds, take a container and fill it with moist soil. You can then place the seeds on the surface of the soil, making sure that the seeds are not submerged. Mist the container with water and place it in a warm spot with some sunlight. Keep the container moist and in a few weeks the seeds should germinate.
To propagate using stem cuttings, choose a stem that has healthy leaves, and cut it at the base. Place the cutting in a container filled with water and wait for small roots to grow. Once the roots have grown a few inches, you can transfer the cutting to soil and keep it moist. Once the cutting is established, you can transplant it to its permanent location.
Common Pests and Diseases
Like other plants, Perennial Sweet Pea can be affected by pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, mites, and scale insects, which can be controlled using insecticides or natural solutions such as planting companion plants and using neem oil.
The most common diseases that affect Perennial Sweet Pea are gray mold and downy mildew, both caused by too much moisture. To prevent these diseases, allow plenty of air circulation around the plant and keep the foliage dry. It is also important to remove any spent or dead blooms and leaves in order to reduce the chance of fungal infection.
Three Frequently Asked Questions About Lathyrus Latifolius
Q: How much water and fertilizer does Perennial Sweet Pea need?
A: Perennial Sweet Pea does not need a lot of water, but it does need to be watered regularly. A once weekly watering should be sufficient, but water whenever the soil is dry. As for fertilizer, it should be fertilized once a month (or less) with a balanced fertilizer.
Q: Does Perennial Sweet Pea need to be pruned?
A: Yes, pruning is necessary to maintain a healthy Perennial Sweet Pea and encourage new growth. Prune off any dead or spent blooms and cut back the stems if you want to control the size of the plant.
Q: Does Perennial Sweet Pea need special soil?
A: No, Perennial Sweet Pea will do well in any well-draining soil. It prefers soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5, and it should not be planted in soil that is too moist or too dry.
Fact Sheet
| Perennial Sweet Pea | Lathyrus Latifolius |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Mature Size | Up to 9 ft tall |
| Sun Exposure | Partial Sun/Shade |
| Soil Type | Average, moist |
| Soil pH | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Varies (pink, purple, red, white) |
| Hardiness Zones | 5-9 |
| Native Area | Europe, Asia |
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