What varieties of sweet pea are you sowing?

sarinka · October 2020

I am going to put mine in compost next week, probably. I have Royal Family mixed, a mixed spencer packet, Old Spice Cupani and the lovely white Cathy.

Not sure how many I'll sow before boredom sets in, but the family have kindly been saving me bog rolls for the past two months (I also have plastic root trainers somewhere).

Fairygirl · October 2020

Cupani is always lovely, and Cathy is a bit muddy, but a great doer - happy in shadier spots too. I usually have both, although I haven't bought any of those this year, but I've add two whites from the Royal series - Royal White and Royal Wedding, as the R.Crimson one has done very well, although it wasn't quite the colour I was hoping for. I also have Dorothy Eckford, which is a very good white.
I usually do Beaujolais, which is also very reliable, and I've added Windsor to try.

I only do darks and whites. Don't like pale colours.

sarinka · October 2020

Beaujolais is a lovely, lovely colour. I shall order some seeds today and dot them in among the others!

Fairygirl · October 2020

It's a good doer. Nice scent too. I have a poor sense of smell, but that one is good

Astro · October 2020

I picked up some royal blue the other day because they were just 99p a pack. I was going to buy matucana or cupani for the fragrance ( any thoughts on which is better) and Dorothy Eckford as my white.

Fairygirl · October 2020

I don't find much difference between Matucana and Cupani, but I'm not the best person to ask, bearing in mind my previous statement.

I grow Cupani purely for sentimental reasons.

Astro · October 2020

I think I'll go for the cupani then, the colour looks a little more vibrant from images. There's half a chance I've grown it in the past and not paid attention, I like the fact it dates way back. Growing for sentimental reasons is a good one @Fairygirl if it evokes treasured memories 🙂

BenCotto · October 2020

This month’s Which Gardening has a report on growing sweet peas for scent. I’m afraid Cupani and Matucana both got 1/5 for scent and scored 2/5 overall.

Those scoring 5/5 for scent were Gwendoline, White Supreme, Albutt Blue, April in Paris and Cream Eggs. They are all pale colours. Turquoise Lagoon is stronger coloured and scored very well.

Fairygirl · October 2020

They aren't heavily scented, but it's not why I grow them @BenCotto.

It's also not a personal reason @Astro - I just like the fact that they're 'historical'.

There isn't much difference in colour between those two though.
Scent is also a very personal thing, and many flowers need heat to produce their strongest scent too.

chicky · October 2020

I’ll be going for one of the Eagle Sweet Pea collections again. Amazing scent that fills a room, and lovely pastel colours .....but then I’m a pastel kind of girl 💜💙🤍

This was taken last week - mine are still going strong 🤣. But I was very late in sowing this year (April). Next year I will start some off in Feb and another batch in April again. I like having Sweet Peas in October 🍂

Grassly · October 2020

I've got some to sow, Cuthbertson mixed and Spencer mixed....years since I've attempted sweet peas.

@chicky they are beautiful!
@sarinka can I ask what the loo rolls are for? I presume to stake them in some way..? I'm aware they will need staking but I was going to use some canes.

What varieties of sweet pea are you sowing?

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