Lathyrus odoratus 'Lord Nelson'

RHS Plant Profile

sweet pea 'Lord Nelson'

Climber Wall Shrub

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An annual climber, up to around 1.5m high, with curling tendrils and pairs of green leaves. An old-fashioned variety, producing strongly scented flowers, with inky purple upper petals and deep blue wings

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Pods and seeds are not edible. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Lathyrus can be annuals or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly climbing, with pinnate leaves ending in a tendril, and showy pea-like flowers, fragrant in some species
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light dappled shade. Provide support and feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks when in growth. See sweetpea cultivation for more detailed advice See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards for further information about RHS plant trials and awards

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Sow in a cold frame in early autumn, early spring or in-situ in mid-spring. See sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Climber and wall shrubs
Cut flowers
Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut regularly to encourage more flowers; allowing seed pods to form will stop plants from flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt and sweet pea viruses