Everlasting Pea Seeds - Mixed

Everlasting Pea 'Mixed' is a vibrant blend of hardy, perennial flowers that produce beautiful, long-lasting blooms throughout the growing season. Known for its climbing growth habit and abundant flowers in a mix of striking colors, this plant is perfect for adding vertical beauty to garden fences, trellises, or arbors. The 'Mixed' variety features a colorful array of purples, pinks, reds, and whites, offering an eye-catching display that blooms year after year.

Key Benefits

Long-Lasting Blooms: As a perennial, Everlasting Peas bloom year after year, making it a great long-term addition to your garden.
Vibrant Color Mix: Features a wide range of colors, including purple, pink, red, and white, providing a dynamic and cheerful garden display.
Low Maintenance: Once established, these plants are relatively low-maintenance and require minimal care, perfect for beginner gardeners.
Climbing Growth Habit: Ideal for vertical gardens, fences, arbors, or trellises, providing an elegant and space-saving way to cover structures.
Attracts Pollinators: The fragrant flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, helping to support a healthy garden ecosystem.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: A mix of climbing plants with lush green foliage and colorful flowers that bloom from mid-spring through early summer.
• Bloom Period: Blooms from late spring to early summer, typically from May to June, depending on climate and growing conditions.
• Growth Habit: Climbing vine, ideal for growing on trellises, fences, or as ground cover.
• Size: Reaches a height of 4–6 feet, with a spread of about 12–18 inches, making it perfect for vertical planting.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• When to Plant: Plant in early spring after the danger of frost has passed, or start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant once the weather warms up.
• Ideal Temperature: Thrives in moderate temperatures, between 60°F–75°F (16°C–24°C), making it ideal for spring planting.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 8–12 inches apart to allow them to grow and climb freely.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5. Adding compost to the soil will enhance fertility.
• Sunlight: Requires full sun for at least 6 hours per day for optimal growth and abundant blooms.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist, but ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
• During dry spells, water deeply to encourage strong root growth and to support blooming.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in the early spring when the plants begin to show new growth to encourage vigorous blooming.
• Avoid excessive fertilization, as it can lead to more foliage growth and fewer flowers.

Support and Pruning

• Provide a trellis, arbor, or fence for the vines to climb.
• Regularly prune spent flowers and trim any unwanted growth to maintain the plant's shape and encourage further blooming.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch for aphids and caterpillars, which can damage the plants. Use organic insecticides like neem oil or insecticidal soap to control pests.
• Diseases: To prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew, avoid overhead watering and ensure proper air circulation around the plants.

Harvesting

• Flowering: Harvest flowers when they are fully open for use in floral arrangements. Everlasting Peas make excellent cut flowers.
• Seed Harvest: Allow seed pods to mature and dry on the plant before harvesting. Collect the seeds once they are fully dried for storage.

Storage

• Fresh Storage: Everlasting Pea flowers last for about a week in a vase, making them a great addition to cut flower arrangements.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to keep them viable for up to 2 years.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• Ornamental: The Everlasting Pea is primarily an ornamental plant, perfect for adding color and vertical height to garden spaces.
• Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms make wonderful additions to fresh flower arrangements.
• Companion Planting: These plants attract pollinators, making them a good companion for vegetables or other flowers that need help with pollination.

Conclusion

Everlasting Pea 'Mixed' is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add colorful, long-lasting blooms and vertical interest to their space. With its vibrant flower mix and climbing growth habit, this perennial plant will enhance any garden, whether grown on trellises, fences, or in containers. Easy to grow and maintain, 'Mixed' Everlasting Pea is sure to provide years of beauty and fragrance.