Blue-violet Sweet Pea 'Lord Nelson' (Lathyrus odoratus) seeds
- Historic sweet pea with deep blue blooms – ideal for trellises, cutting, and early sowing
- Contents: Approx.15 seeds.
- Open-pollinated variety, seed tested regularly
€2.59
Description
Classic Floral Beauty with Aristocratic Fragrance
Sweet Pea 'Lord Nelson' (Lathyrus odoratus) is a time-honoured variety with deep blue, velvety-sheened blooms. It belongs to the historic Grandiflora group, highly prized in Victorian England for its captivating fragrance and elegant floral form.
The numerous flowers appear on long, slender stems and exude an intense, sweet-spicy scent. This makes 'Lord Nelson' an outstanding cut flower with nostalgic charm – perfect for summer bouquets, country-style arrangements, or traditional cottage gardens.
In garden beds, it impresses with its strong yet upright growth and readily climbs fences, obelisks and pergolas with the help of support structures. The plant reaches a height of around 150?cm and thrives best in sunny to partially shaded positions with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
The non-edible pods are used for seed formation and can be harvested for sowing the following year. Regular cutting or deadheading of spent blooms will significantly extend the flowering period.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Climber, Container plant, Summer flower |
|---|---|
| Use | Container plant, Cut flower, Ornamental plant, Scented plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Fabaceae |
| Region of origin | Asia Minor, Italy |
| Characteristics | Needs darkness to germinate |
| Eventual height | 100-150 cm |
| Flower colour | Blue, Lilac |
| Flowering months | August, July, June |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | April, August, March, October, September |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 2-3 cm |
| Germination temperature | 15-20°C |
| Germination time | 1-2 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Deep, Free-draining, Fresh, Nutrient-rich |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | Medium |
| Planting distance | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 50 cm |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Care of Lathyrus odoratus
- Plant type: Annual climbing plant, Grandiflora sweet pea
- Sowing: Start indoors from February or sow directly outdoors from March; autumn sowing also possible
- Sowing depth: Sow approximately 2–3?cm deep
- Germination: At 12–16?°C; soak seeds in lukewarm water for 12 hours if needed
- Site: Sunny to partially shaded, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- Height: Approx. 150?cm with support
- Special features: Cool Flower – early sowing produces especially vigorous plants and an extended flowering season
With its rich fragrance, elegant colour and historical heritage, sweet pea 'Lord Nelson' is an essential flower for romantic gardens, classic scented borders, and nostalgic floral displays.
Other names
Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus
German: Dufterbse, Duftwicke, Duftende Platterbse, Wilderbse, Edelwicke, Prunkerbse, Ziererbse, Wohlriechende Wicke
English: Sweet Pea, Wild Pea, Vetchling
French: Pois de senteur
Italian: Pisello odoroso
Spanish: Guisante de olor
Login
