Last year I copied what Carol Klein said she does with her sweet peas. Instead of planting them out from their 3 inch pots she pots them on again and then plants them out a little later, in June. I got the best sweet pea display I have ever had and they flowered well into the autumn.
I can keep mine going well into autumn too @Buttercupdays, but I firmly believe they do better with a slightly cooler damper environment anyway. It's the rough weather that sees them off quickest. So many people on the forum have found they don't last beyond about July/early August, because it's just too hot and dry for them. In the horrible, weird hot summer we had here last year, one of my containers [in a very sunny site] was struggling, and that's not normal at all. They usually just need a bit more watering [every day] if we get a spell of hotter, drier weather, but that was an eye opener. It was nothing like many areas in the south had either.
Someone was asking about using turf on another thread, and I use it for the base of pots. It holds moisture better, which helps. Was she [C. Klein] talking about planting in the ground though? I can understand potting them on to do that - more resistant to the relentless slugs I usually wait a bit longer if I'm putting them in the ground anyway, but I still have to be careful where I put them.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've never had a major problem with slugs but mice are something else. I was waiting for the pods to ripen to collect some seed, but when the time came the pods were either empty or missing and I don't think it was birds!
I sometimes hang trays of sweet peas or beans from the GH roof so the little blighters can't decapitate them
I finally got sorted with the seeds I wanted (perenniels) from Wilkos. A packet of Wilko own brand and a packet of Johnsons. Both are described as Mixed Everlasting. However, on the back of the Johnson packet it says Lathyrus Latifolius.
I will sow 3 seeds in the same 'container' as @Dovefromabove suggested. For the container I will do as @Fairygirl suggested and use a deeper container. I have some tall clear plastic drinking cups. It will add a bit of extra interest seeing the root system develope.
Lathyris latifolius is the broadleaved perennial ‘sweet pea’ aka Everlasting Sweet Pea. The ‘mixed’ probably refers to a variety of colours … although the range is not wide.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'd agree with that. It could be confusing though, if people aren't aware that there are perennial s. peas. Most folk think of the annuals, and they could be very disappointed - especially with the lack of scent. Just be careful that the roots don't get too hot, and fry, in those cups @young codger. You may have to take care with where you site them - bit of shade
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Someone was asking about using turf on another thread, and I use it for the base of pots. It holds moisture better, which helps.
Was she [C. Klein] talking about planting in the ground though? I can understand potting them on to do that - more resistant to the relentless slugs
I usually wait a bit longer if I'm putting them in the ground anyway, but I still have to be careful where I put them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I will sow 3 seeds in the same 'container' as @Dovefromabove suggested. For the container I will do as @Fairygirl suggested and use a deeper container. I have some tall clear plastic drinking cups. It will add a bit of extra interest seeing the root system develope.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It could be confusing though, if people aren't aware that there are perennial s. peas. Most folk think of the annuals, and they could be very disappointed - especially with the lack of scent.
Just be careful that the roots don't get too hot, and fry, in those cups @young codger. You may have to take care with where you site them - bit of shade
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...