This tidy evergreen shrub is a tried and true perennial that is beloved by avid gardeners far and wide. It has vibrant purple-magenta, pea-like flowers that have a soft-pink central crest. In mild winter areas this beautiful bush blooms almost year-round.
Does sweet pea come back every year?
Perennial sweet peas: Perennial sweet peas come back year after year. You do not need to replant them after the growing season ends, and they will continue to grow for a longer period of time.
Can you trim a sweet pea bush?
One of the things that make sweet pea bush care so easy is that it needs little or no pruning. If you need to control the size, you can give it a light trim any time of year. The stems on older shrubs may become woody. In that case, you can cut it to about 10 inches (25.5 cm.)
Do sweet peas need to be cut back?
Prune the plants back to the ground in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Prune sweet pea plants with diseased foliage back to the ground in fall. Discard, don’t compost, the leaves and stems of diseased plants to reduce the risk of future disease problems.
Will sweet pea survive winter?
Sweet peas are a hardy annual, which means they will tolerate cold, even a light frost below if freezing. They are tougher than they look and will take a regular frost down to around -4.
What do you do with sweet peas in the winter?
Sweet peas can withstand temperatures of about -5 at night but will not like to be frozen in their pots all day. If you overdo it and lose the top growth, chances are, if you give them some warmth they will have established enough root to sprout again.
How tall does a sweet pea shrub grow?
3–5 ft. tall
How to Grow and Care for Sweet Pea Shrub
| Common Name | Sweet pea shrub (bush), milkwort |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Broadleaf evergreen shrub |
| Mature Size | 3–5 ft. tall and wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
| Soil Type | Rich, well-drained |
How do you make sweet pea bushy?
Planting out sweet peas
Before planting, harden them off by putting them out in the day and returning them to a frost-free place at night. Pinch out the tips of young sweet pea plants when they reach about 10cm tall, to encourage bushy growth. You can buy sweet pea plug plants in spring.
Do hummingbirds like sweet peas?
A staple of cottage gardens because of their colorful and fragrant flowers, hummingbirds are also drawn to sweet peas, especially plants with red or pink flowers.
Do sweet peas reseed themselves?
Will sweet peas self-seed? Yes, in warmer climates. If you leave your sweet pea plants to turn to seed in fall, and allow those seed pods to pop open and disperse the seeds, it is absolutely possible for some to self-seed next year.
Can you stop sweet peas growing too tall?
When the sweet peas have grown too tall for their supporting canes, untie all of them and lay the stems carefully on the ground, taking care not to snap the brittle stems. Next, re-tie stems to a cane further along the row, so the tip of the plant reaches about 30cm (12in) up its new cane.
Why are there no flowers on my sweet peas?
The reason your sweet peas are not blooming is often because of lack of sun, high temperatures or too much fertilizer. Sweet peas are native to the Mediterranean and flower best in full sun, medium to low nutrient soil with regular watering. Heat waves can also temporarily prevent blooming.
Do I need to protect sweet peas from frost?
Generally, though, sweet peas are classed as half hardy annuals and will be fine in dry frost up to -4°C (25°F). If temperatures do drop below that, you’ll need to protect them with horticultural fleece.
What do you do with sweet peas at the end of the season?
Cut down your sweet peas when they finish flowering, but leave the roots in the ground as they have little nodules on them which will add nitrogen to your soil.
How long do sweet peas last?
4 to 5 days
For the longest vase life, pick stems that have at least 2 unopened flowers at the tip. While they can be picked when more open, their vase life won’t be quite as long. Sweet peas are a short-lived cut flower, lasting at best 4 to 5 days in a vase.
What month do sweet peas flower?
Sweet peas are sown and grown from seed or bought as plug plants. If growing from seed, you can sow in autumn (typically October or November) or spring (February to April), and grow on the seedlings into small plants.
Do sweet peas need a trellis?
Because Sweet Peas are vining, they need support to grow up and flower. Many types of structures can work such as a trellis, supports with mesh or twine, or fences. They need a structure that is well anchored in the ground to support the weight of the vines.
Can sweet peas be grown in pots?
Sweet Peas can be very successfully grown in containers providing a few basic rules are observed. These are; The container needs to be sufficient volume for the number of plants with a minimum size of 20 litres. Sweet Peas have a large root system and can easily become pot bound.
Is sweet pea shrub toxic to dogs?
Although the name “sweet pea” (Lathyrus latifolius and L. odoratus) sounds innocuous and lovely as can be, the family Fabaceae plants are actually toxic to various animals, including dogs.
How often do you water sweet pea bushes?
Water regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. Provide organically rich, well-drained soil. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought in temperate coastal regions.
What can you not plant with sweet peas?
Just as there are good companion plants to grow with peas, there are also plants that will inhibit your peas from growing properly. Alliums like onions, garlic, and chives stunt the growth of peas. Avoid planting peas and alliums in the same garden beds.
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