Sweet pea ‘Cherub Crimson’
Words: Graham Rice
In 1893, in Santa Clara, California, the very first dwarf sweet pea was discovered. It was found in field of tall white sweet peas but seed was not easy to germinate. Two years later ‘Pink Cupid’, a dwarf, ground hugging, pink and white bicolour, was discovered and that variety is still grown today.
Between then and now, dwarf sweet peas first enjoyed dramatic and wide popularity. Then fashions changed, enthusiasm faded away. They almost became extinct. But they were saved by the recent passion for container gardening and have a enjoyed a great resurgence.
‘Cupid’ sweet peas are now available in a wide range of colours, slightly taller dwarf types have been developed, and then came the Cherub Series, derived from the Cupids. And now ‘Cherub Crimson’ has received an Award of Garden Merit.
Impressive trials ground performance
When I saw it at Wisley this summer, I thought it was really impressive. The specialist sweet pea judges did too, admiring its colour, its prolific flowering and noting its suitability for growing in hanging baskets and other containers as well as a spreading ground cover in borders. It would also be lovely tumbling over a low wall. And, although fragrance is less common in dwarf types than in taller sweet peas, ‘Cherub Crimson’ is scented.
Cherub's habit
‘Cherub Crimson’ grows about 40cm/16in high with a spreading habit, and appreciates an open site and good drainage. Carrying two or three, deep red, 3.7cm/11/2in flowers on 10cm/4in stems, the plants branch repeatedly to create a long display.
Raised by Lincolnshire sweet pea specialist Mark Rowland, there are now 12 other colours in the Cherub Series. All are available from Owl’s Acre Sweet Peas
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