Lathyrus odoratus 'Winston Churchill'

RHS Plant Profile
sweet pea 'Winston Churchill'

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A nitrogen-fixing annual, climbing by tendrils up to 1.8m high, with leaves composed of two ovate-elliptic green leaflets, and long, strong stems of large, scented, wavy-edged red flowers in summer; some bumblebee species may visit sweet peas

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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

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 plants at 20-30cm spacing in well-drained but humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil, in full sun or very light dappled shade, with support such as a trellis; for more advice, see sweet pea cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed: in milder areas sow directly where they are to grow in autumn or mid-spring; in colder areas sow in autumn or early spring in containers in a cold frame or unheated glasshouse, and plant out after the final spring frost. 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
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

For a long and regular supply of blooms, cut flowers frequently, before they produce seed pods

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails, and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leafy gall, Fusarium wilt, foot and root rots, and sweet pea viruses