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Growing: Lathyrus sativus azureus, Electric Blue Species Sweet Peas (and a seed giveaway!)

species sweet peas
Every January I get seed mania but I blame Erin of Floret Flower Farm for raising this year’s seed lust to fever pitch with her wonderfully informative series on growing sweet peas. Have you seen it? Stop what you’re doing and go check it out, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

species sweet peaWelcome back. Now you understand why I am going to start taking my yearly sweet pea cultivation more seriously! (I’ve already placed orders for 11 new-to-me varieties and asked the mister to help me set up the greenhouses several weeks earlier than usual.) One sweet pea which is sure to make a return appearance is this species type–Lathyrus sativus azureus–from Renee’s Garden. What a beauty!! Tiny, bright blue blossoms nestled among grass-like foliage on a mounding or low-growing vining plant flowering profusely for weeks. You might be surprised to learn that these sweet peas were unscented–or at least a scent I couldn’t detect–their charm lies in their vivid coloring and easy grace. They looked so beautiful paired with the champagne and apricot hues of ‘Ghislaine de Féligonde’, didn’t they?

ghislaine de féligonde 9-12-3sweet peas and ghislaine de féligonde 2 sweet peas and ghislaine de féligondeThese sweet peas were a piece of cake to grow. I soaked them in water first as I usually do (some people nick the outer seed coat of sweet peas first but I just give them a good soak) and sowed in early spring in a container which is around 12 inches deep and filled with really good potting mix. (Click here for growing instructions.) They also got a dousing of compost tea just as the roses did since they all share growing space. “A little for you, and a little for you, and some for you, and here’s a bit for you….” They seemed to like it.

collecting seeds 9-12-2-3

collecting seeds 9-12-2-2And now, a quick giveaway: In autumn, I collected as many of the mature seeds as I could and I have 3 little packets here to send to anyone who wants one. Just let me know if you’d like a packet in the comments section and I’ll get in touch with you for your address. (So sorry–but this has to be for U.S. residents only.) EDIT: The extra seeds have all been claimed! Thank you everyone! 🙂

species sweet peas species sweet peas2Although these photos show these sweet peas growing up a simple twine trellis, I think they would also be lovely cascading from a hanging basket. If you grow them in spring, let me know how you like them!

bouquet for grandma 2 bouquet for grandma 3PS: I forgot to mention how nice these sweet peas look in arrangements. 🙂

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25 Comments

  1. Would love some sweet peas. Recently moved to Ct after living whole life in California. I have to start my whole garden again from scratch and learn about weather here. Where is your garden?

    1. Hi Karen! I’ll shoot you an email for your address soon. 🙂
      I used to live in CA and CT, too! Quite a difference, isn’t it? We’re now in Pennsylvania (zone 6.)

  2. Oh you got me! I should not have looked at floret farm and then I went to owls acre and then fell in love… I am trying to figure out if I have the space for them haha!!

    Do you need any butterfly weed seeds? I have more then I know what to do with.

  3. I don’t know if you have any seeds left, but I’d love to give these a try near my apricot-colored roses. Beautiful pictures!

  4. Thanks for the wonderful article! Love sweet peas and plant them in the ground each year on St Patrick’s Day. They never disappoint!

  5. Hi, Laurie,

    These look lovely! I too was smitten by all of the beautiful sweet pea posts on Floret Flower Farm. Who wouldn’t be??? It really makes me want to grow them successfully this year. Last year I planted them directly in the garden and had very few flowers.

    I’d love some seeds if you still have any left. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

    1. Hi Anne! I’m so sorry, but Kathy got the last packet. I’ll be giving away a couple other kinds of annuals soon if you want to check back for those. Thank you for your comment! 🙂

      1. I’ll have to be quicker next time. 🙂

        I’m taking away loads of inspiration, though, and thanks, again, for that!

  6. Would love to try your blue sweet peas 🙂 . I can send you a self addressed envelope if you’d like, too! Love reading your vines section. I’m planning to have an arbor covered before October of 2014, when my daughter will be married. Do you have a particular vine you think would grow through the summer (her colors are peach and cremes). Thanks again!!!

  7. I would love to grow these beautiful sweet peas next year. Where can I get seeds. I just adore the color.
    I had an “issue” with asiatic day lillies. I love the flower but they were so invasive, they just took over and destroyed a lot of my flowers.

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