This climbing annual is fast growing with slender stems and tendrils and forms a dense cover. It has divided leaves with grey green oval leaflets and the pea-shaped sweetly scented pink to white flowers appear in a raceme from late winter to spring.

Hardiness zones 4 to 10

Lathyrus odoratus is naturally found in Italy growing on grassy banks, wastelands or in open woodlands. It tolerates most well drained moderately fertile moist soils in an sunny protected position and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

Sweet Pea is grown for its flowers and used as a screen on wire fences or lattice. It is also grown in rock gardens as a spill-over and is ideal in cottage gardens. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in one season. It is also planted in patio pots and trained over structures andis valued for its ease of cultivation and long flowering season.191

Lathyrus(lă-thi-rus) odoratus (o-dô-RAH-tus)

'Lathyrus': from Greek lathyros - a pea; 'odoratus': sweet-smelling.

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)