Lathyrus odoratus Pulsar - Sweet Pea Seeds

Lathyrus odoratus 'Pulsar' is a variety of Sweet Pea from the excellent Spencer series that brings together floriferous, fragrant, and vigorous cultivars. 'Pulsar' flowers are speckled, finely veined, and lilac-spotted on a cream background. Carried by long sturdy stems, they are as beautiful in the garden as in pots or bouquets. It is an annual, climbing, and twining plant, sometimes creeping if it does not find a vertical support to cling its tendrils to.

Lathyrus odoratus 'Pulsar' is an annual herbaceous plant from the Fabaceae family. The species is native to southeastern Italy and Sicily. Its long tendrilled stems can reach 2 m in length in a few months. It produces large, wavy flowers. The leaves are paired on quadrangular stems, with stipules at the base and extended into tendrils. Their colour is a fairly light green, more or less greyish or bluish. The flowering period lasts for several weeks, from June-July to August-September, depending on the sowing date. It is essential to systematically remove the young pod-shaped fruits that form, otherwise the flowering will diminish. The pea-like flowers are large to very large, grouped in clusters at the axils of the leaves. They consist of 5 more or less frizzled petals, with the upper one, which is also the largest, taking the form of a banner, while the others have an intermediate form between the lip and the tube. They exhale a strong, yet delicate, fragrance, with a sweet floral scent with hints of honeyed and musky notes. The fruit is a flat pod that twists to expel its seeds to a distance. Sweet peas root quite deeply in the soil to draw water and nutrients. They like warmth, as well as rich, loose, and moist soils.

Lathyrus odoratus 'Pulsar' is ideal for dressing trellises, fence grids and large pots with hoops. Planted in borders without support, in a variety mix, they form beautiful seasonal multicoloured carpets. They also use neighbouring plants or bushes as support. In a cottage garden, they accompany herbaceous clematis (Clematis integrifolia) and climbing roses like ‘Pierre de Ronsard’. For a harmonious contrast, pair them with nasturtiums or morning glories. They are majestic in a large hanging basket, cascading into romantic garlands.