Old Spice Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Odoratus Nellie Viner Pale Rose Pink) - No garden should be without this treasured favorite! Rose Pink Sweet Pea is so easily grown from flower seeds, and it is truly a charming flower producing frilly blooms all summer long. Give scented Sweet Peas something to climb, and these vining annuals will quickly grow into a lovely vine. This Old Spice variety also features larger blooms and more blooms on each stem. The scent is lovely, and the long stems make it a wonderful cut flower.

For best germination, the flower seeds need to be nicked with nail clippers to break the seed's outer coat and then soaked overnight in warm water. Sow annual Sweet Pea seeds directly outdoors. Position them in full sun, but in areas with very hot summer weather, provide some afternoon shade for the best performance. Protect them from winds and rotate locations from year to year to prevent pests. In cold climates plant the seed in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. In warm climates, plant in October through January for spring bloom.

SOWING

Season: Annual

Height: 100 inches (250 cm)

Spread: 12 inches (30 cm)

Bloom Season: Early summer to late summer

Bloom Color: Pale Rose Pink

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

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

Germination temperature: 17-20C (64 - 68F)

Light Required: No

Depth: 1/2 inch (1.5cm)

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination

Plant Spacing: 2 - 3 inches for seed spacing, then thin plants later to 5 - 6 inches

Sweet Pea vines need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. They do best if the seed is sown in the area they will grow. During the growing season, use nitrogen fertilizer sparingly because too much will cause lots of plant growth and fewer flowers. When the plants are 3 - 6 inches tall, pinch the tops to encourage side shoots. Water regularly, especially in high heat to keep the flowers cool, and deadhead the spent flowers to keep the plant blooming.