Lathyrus odoratus 'Solway Classic'

RHS Plant Profile

sweet pea 'Solway Classic'

Annual Biennial

A bushy and floriferous sweetpea bearing white flowers heavily suffused with crimson. This compact variety reaches around 1m in height

Position

Full sun

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

Aspect: East–facing or 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

Plant out in a sunny, sheltered spot in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil. Position the plants close to the base of their intended support, with two plants at the base of each cane if growing up a wigwam. Keep well-watered throughout the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed fortnightly. See sweetpea cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in pots or rootrainers in autumn or spring and planting them out in April, or sow them directly into the soil in April. 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
Bedding
Climber and wall shrubs
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fusarium wilt and sweetpea viruses