Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are popular annual flowers cherished globally for their delicate, ruffled blossoms and intense fragrance. They offer a wide spectrum of colors, ranging from soft pastels to deep purples, and serve as both a climbing garden feature and a desirable cut flower. Acquiring these blooms or the materials to grow them requires understanding the different sources available, depending on whether the goal is cultivation from seed or purchasing ready-to-display stems.
Sources for Growing Sweet Peas (Seeds and Plants)
The initial step for cultivation is sourcing the appropriate growing material, selecting between seeds or young plants, often called “starts.” For the widest selection of Lathyrus odoratus varieties, especially those with unique color patterns or strong heirloom scents, specialty online seed retailers are the best option. These companies often focus on rare or heritage varieties, such as the fragrant ‘Cupani’ or ‘Matucana’, which are typically unavailable in mass markets.
Large national garden centers and big-box stores provide a convenient alternative, offering seeds from major brands that select for popular, robust varieties like the ‘Spencer’ types. These mass-market options are reliable for general color mixes but often offer less intense fragrance, as breeding prioritizes bloom size and stem length. Local independent nurseries often carry a curated selection of both mainstream and niche seeds, alongside pre-started seedlings ready for transplanting.
Purchasing young plants can accelerate the growing process, which is beneficial in regions with short cool seasons, but variety selection is much more limited than with seeds. Local gardening groups or community seed swaps also offer a source for materials, providing an opportunity to acquire regionally adapted or unique seeds. High-quality, fresh seeds are the foundation for a successful sweet pea season.
Where to Find Sweet Pea Cut Flowers
Acquiring sweet peas already harvested and ready for display is a different endeavor, as the blooms are delicate and do not ship well over long distances. Local independent florists are a prime source, especially those who prioritize sourcing from nearby flower farms, allowing them to offer the freshest and most fragrant stems. As a prized seasonal bloom, florists often feature them prominently from late spring through early summer.
High-end grocery store floral departments sometimes carry sweet peas, but these are frequently mass-produced or imported, resulting in a noticeable loss of the characteristic scent. Flowers transported across long distances are often varieties bred for durability rather than fragrance. For the freshest and most seasonal selection, farmers’ markets and roadside stands featuring local growers are ideal.
Local farmers harvest sweet peas at the optimal stage—when the lower blossoms are open but the top buds are still tight—and transport them directly to the consumer within hours. This “farm-to-vase” journey preserves the flower’s natural, intense perfume and delicate ruffling, providing a superior product compared to commercially shipped flowers. Sweet peas are rarely available in high quality outside of their natural cool-weather growing season unless sourced from specialized greenhouse operations.
Key Factors Influencing Purchase Timing and Variety
Making an informed purchase involves considering the plant’s needs and the desired outcome, particularly regarding timing and variety selection. Sweet peas thrive in cool weather, so purchasing seeds should align with the local window for early spring or autumn sowing to ensure establishment before summer heat. While the seed packet’s sell-by date is not a strict deadline, as seeds can remain viable for two to four years if stored correctly, fresher seed generally yields better germination rates.
When choosing a variety, the gardener must decide between the heavily ruffled, long-stemmed ‘Spencer’ types or the smaller-flowered, intensely fragrant ‘Old-Fashioned’ and ‘Grandiflora’ types. The modern ‘Spencer’ varieties are favored for cut flowers due to their long, straight stems, while heirloom types are selected for their strong, traditional perfume. Dwarf or ‘Knee-High’ varieties are also available, which are suitable for containers or garden borders rather than climbing.
For cut flowers, the quality of the stem is paramount, and consumers should look for bunches where the blossoms are firm and the top buds are just beginning to show color. Fully open stems will have a significantly shorter vase life, often lasting only three to five days. Selecting a local grower ensures the stems are cut at this proper stage, as poor storage and shipping conditions rapidly degrade the flower’s structural integrity and scent.