Lathyrus odoratus 'Winston Churchill'
sweet pea 'Winston Churchill'
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
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical 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
Unresolved
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
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leafy gall, Fusarium wilt, foot and root rots, and sweet pea viruses
Get involved
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