Lathyrus odoratus 'Gwendoline'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Gwendoline' is a strong-growing climbing annual producing fragrant, magenta-pink flowers. Being a Spencer type of sweet pea, it has larger, frilly flowers that are of exhibition quality, and excellent for cutting.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Sweet pea 'Gwendoline'
- Family
- Papilionaceae
- Height & spread
- 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) x 10-50cm (4-20in)
- Form
- Annual/biennial climber
- Soil
- Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained
- Aspect
- Full sun or light dappled shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Lathyrus
Lathyrus is a genus of 150 species of annuals and herbaceous or evergreen perennials found growing on sunny banks, grassy slopes, open woodland or wasteland in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, America and East Africa.
Many are climbers with tendrils, while others are clump-forming. The climbers can be grown through shrubs or over a bank, while the clump-forming species are suitable for rock gardens, woodland gardens or herbaceous borders.
Sweet peas, L. odoratus, need support and are suitable for a trellis, arch or a border with some means of support.
Lathyrus are grown for their showy, pea flowers, which come in a wide range of colours, many of which are scented.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Gwendoline'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Gwendoline' is a strong-growing climbing annual that grows up to 2m tall and produces fragrant, magenta-pink flowers, with the petals paler towards the base. It is a Spencer type of sweet pea, which means it has larger flowers that have frilly petals and are of exhibition quality, and excellent for cutting.
‘Gwendoline’ was named after the wife of John Bishop, President of the National Sweet Pea Society 1998.
Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks when in growth.
- Dead-head regularly.
- May be attacked by aphids, slugs, snails and thrips.
- May be subject to powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt, foot rot, root rot, and a virus.
Propagation
- Soak seed and sow in containers in a cold frame in early autumn or early spring.
- Alternatively sow in situ in mid-spring.
AGM
The RHS Joint Sweet Pea Committee awarded Lathyrus odoratus ‘Gwendoline’ an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
'A dainty mauve-pink and white, sweetly scented sweet pea.'