You'll be sweet on fragrant blossoms

Just like celebrities stage comebacks, so do cut flowers. In this case it's the old-fashioned sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus). I can still remember the rich clove fragrance of my mother's sweet pea garden. I looked forward to helping her harvest and arrange the blooms, always hoping there would be a few extra for a small bottle in my bedroom.

In addition to fragrance, sweet peas offer a range of colors from vivid reds and purples to pastel whites and pinks. Another plus is that there are few pests or problems associated with sweet peas Get them started now.

Planting

Sweet peas prefer full sun and a rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Before planting, soak the seeds overnight and then use a nail file to nick any that don't swell. Plant an inch deep and install a trellis, immediately after planting, so you won't damage the emerging plants that should pop up in about 10 to 14 days. Next, mulch the soil around the plants to keep roots cool and moist.

Another idea is to consider planting sweet peas among your veggies, as they attract bees and other pollinators needed in the vegetable garden.

Containers

If you're short on space, grow sweet peas in containers. Use a large (8 gallon) porous container, as plastic or glazed ceramic pots cause the roots to get too hot. Fill the container with good potting soil and plant six to eight seeds. Once the plants have four leaves, then thin to the four best plants. At about 3 to 6 inches, pinch the seedlings to encourage shoots.

They will also need a trellis no shorter than 4 feet. Start tying the plants to their supports when they are about 8 inches tall.

Care

Regular deadheading or cutting will keep sweet peas blooming longer. They require regular watering, especially as the temperature increases, and prefer a somewhat rich soil. They can be fed monthly with a fertilizer high in potassium. Some gardeners add a bit of blood meal to the soil to help keep stems long for cutting.

Varieties

Old fashioned: Very fragrant

Spencer cultivars: Striking coloring, but not particularly fragrant

Bijou group: Sweetly scented dwarf variety suitable for containers.