Sweet Pea Seeds - Royal Lavender

Sweet Pea 'Royal Lavender' offers a stunning display of elegant lavender blooms, perfect for gardeners seeking a fragrant and colorful addition to their outdoor spaces. With its soft, pastel purple flowers and sweet scent, this variety is ideal for creating a soothing and enchanting garden atmosphere. Perfect for trellises, fences, and containers, 'Royal Lavender' brings vertical beauty and fragrance to any garden, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Key Benefits

Elegant Lavender Flowers: Produces soft, pastel purple blooms that are both visually pleasing and fragrant, adding elegance to any garden or floral arrangement.
Fragrant Blooms: Known for its sweet, intoxicating fragrance, this variety is perfect for cutting gardens or as a decorative flower in bouquets.
Climbing Vines: These plants grow tall and thrive on vertical structures, making them ideal for trellises, fences, and arbors.
Long Bloom Period: Sweet Peas bloom profusely from late spring to early summer, providing months of color and fragrance.
Pollinator-Friendly: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: 'Royal Lavender' produces large, ruffled flowers in a soothing lavender shade. The plants have climbing vines that grow to reach vertical support structures.
• Bloom Period: Blooms from late spring to early summer, typically from May through July, depending on the local climate.
• Growth Habit: These are annual climbing plants that need vertical support to grow upwards.
• Size: Grows to a height of 4–6 feet, with a spread of 12–18 inches.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• When to Plant: Plant Sweet Pea 'Royal Lavender' seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. Alternatively, seeds can be started indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date and then transplanted outdoors.
• Ideal Temperature: Sweet Peas thrive in cool temperatures between 55°F–70°F (13°C–21°C), which makes them perfect for early spring planting.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1 inch deep in well-drained soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Sweet Peas prefer fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly alkaline pH (7.0–7.5).
• Sunlight: Sweet Peas require full sun to partial shade. They should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best blooms.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply to encourage strong root growth, especially during dry periods.
• Ensure that the soil has good drainage to prevent root rot.

Fertilization

• Prior to planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to provide essential nutrients.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting time, and again once the plants have grown to encourage further flowering. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as it may result in more foliage than flowers.

Support and Pruning

• Sweet Peas are climbing plants, so make sure to provide vertical support, such as a trellis or garden arbor, before planting.
• Pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage branching and more blooms. Remove dead or spent flowers to extend the blooming season.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Sweet Peas may attract aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic pest control methods such as neem oil or insecticidal soap for aphid control.
• Diseases: To prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew, ensure proper spacing and air circulation. Avoid watering from above, and rotate crops to minimize soil-borne diseases.

Harvesting

• Flowering: Sweet Pea flowers can be cut when they are fully open to enjoy in floral arrangements. They typically last for up to a week in water.
• Seed Harvest: If saving seeds, allow the pods to dry on the plant before harvesting. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for future planting.

Storage

• Fresh Storage: Fresh flowers can be kept in a vase with water for up to a week.
• Seed Storage: After harvesting, store saved seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can remain viable for up to 2 years.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• Ornamental: Sweet Peas are primarily ornamental, ideal for adding beauty and fragrance to gardens, fences, and arbors.
• Fragrance: The sweet fragrance makes them popular for cutting gardens and indoor arrangements.
• Companion Planting: Sweet Peas help attract pollinators, supporting the health of nearby vegetables or flowers in the garden.

Conclusion

Sweet Pea 'Royal Lavender' Seeds bring a charming and fragrant touch to any garden. With its elegant lavender blooms, sweet scent, and easy care, it's the perfect climbing plant for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Whether grown on a trellis, as part of a mixed flower bed, or as a cutting flower, 'Royal Lavender' Sweet Peas will delight you with their beauty and fragrance all season long.