Mr Fothergills Sweet Pea Painted Lady 25 Seeds

Sweet Pea - Painted Lady

This ancient variety dates from 1730s. It is a small-flowered, grandiflora climber. It is heavily perfumed, weather tolerant, and can be sown where it is to flower. This hardy annual reaches the height of 180cm.

Sow indoors for surest results, from January to March or September to October, 1.5cm deep, 5 seeds per 12cm pot of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, greenhouse or cool windowsill. A temperature of 15°C is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 12-21 days. Pinch out the growing tip, when two pairs of leaves have formed, to encourage bushy growth. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, avoiding frosts, before planting out into well-drained soil, from March to May, 30cm apart. Support with tall canes or netting. Or, sow outdoors for ease, from April to May, where they are to flower, 1.5cm deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Sow 2 seeds together, every 30cm. Remove weaker seedlings, which can then be transplanted. Seeds sown in autumn generally flower earlier the following year. Flowers from May to October. Pick blooms regularly to prolong the flowering season.