This rare blue sweet pea is extraordinary. Luminous blue flowers tinged with pink grow on bushy vines. They're scramblers, not climbers, and make a nifty ground cover between other plants. In a well-prepared bed they'll come up as a thick mass, smothering out weeds. The vibrant flowers are eye-popping.

Lathyrus azureus is native to India. It thrives in summer heat long after your spring sweet peas have faded. An annual, it will grow in any zone. It's been around for thousands of years. Seeds were found in King Tut's tomb. Really. They're extremely rare.

SOWING:

Season: Annual

Sow: March - May

Height: 20 inches

Bloom Season: June - September

Bloom Color: Azure blue with a tinge of pink

Growth Rate: Fast

Environment: Full sun

Soil Type: Rich, well-drained, pH 6.4 - 7.6

Germ temperature:  17 - 20°C  (64 - 68°F)

Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days

Light Required: No

Depth: 1/2 inch (1cm)

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination

For best germination, Indian Pea seeds need to be scarified before sowing. Nicking the seed with a nail clipper breaks the outer coat so they can absorb water immediately. By doing this a larger percentage of the seeds will germinate and they will sprout a few days earlier. After nicking the seed, soak the Sweet Peas seeds over night in tepid water. Do this the night before sowing the flower seeds directly outside.