Sweet Pea - Snoopea
This is a Sweet Pea that carpets the ground with a kaleidoscope of colour. Unlike other non-climbing varieties, Sweet Pea Snoopea does not have tendrils (the things sweet used to grip for climbing) so the blooms and plant remain neater. It received 14 Awards for excellence from the Scottish and National Sweet Pea Societies and the R.H.S. It is very versatile for beds, borders, excellent ground cover and window boxes. Although they do not climb they grow over objects happily.
Sow October indoors, or March to April outdoors. Germinate at 20-30C on the surface of a free draining, damp seed compost, 3 seeds per 7.5cm pot. Apply a layer of compost 1cm deep. Place in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag until after germination which takes 10-21 days. Spring sowings can be sown outdoors, 2.5cm deep in drills 7.5cm apart. Overwinter October sown plants in cooler conditions such as a cold frame before planting out in spring when the ground has warmed, 23-3cm apart. Pinch out the growing point once the first or second pair of leaves has opened. Water freely during dry weather and apply well-rotted manure occasionally. Regular removal of spent flowers will encourage further blooms.