Bi-color
Mollie Rilstone is a tall, classic sweet pea that climbs to 6 feet, blooming prolifically from spring through summer across hardiness zones 3 through 10. This frost-tolerant cultivar of Lathyrus odoratus reaches flowering in about 84 days from seed, rewarding gardeners with fragrant blooms that attract pollinators while resisting deer browse. Plant it in full sun with moderate water and well-draining soil, and you'll have a reliable vertical accent for any cottage garden or cutting garden.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
72in H x 8in W
Annual
High
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Reaching a full 6 feet tall with a refined 8-inch spread, Mollie Rilstone delivers the vertical drama sweet peas are prized for, yet stays narrow enough to tuck into tight garden spaces or along a trellis. The extended bloom window from March through August means you'll harvest flowers for months once it gets going. Its frost tolerance lets gardeners in colder regions (zones 3 and 4) treat it as a reliable spring and early summer performer, while its deer resistance and pollinator magnetism make it a genuine contributor to the garden ecosystem, not just a pretty face.
Sweet peas are grown primarily for their fragrant, delicate flowers, which make exceptional cut flowers for arrangements, bouquets, and wedding florals. The blooms are best harvested frequently to extend the flowering season and encourage continuous production rather than early seed set.
Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep in deep pots 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep soil at 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit until seedlings emerge (typically 5 to 30 days). Once sprouted and before leaves fully unfurl, transfer seedlings to cold conditions outdoors to acclimate them to field temperatures.
After hardening off, transplant seedlings outdoors around 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost. Space plants 6 inches apart and provide sturdy support immediately, as this cultivar will reach 6 feet tall.
Sow seeds directly outdoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost for best results. Prepare soil by incorporating 3 to 4 inches of compost and aged manure deeply into the bed before sowing.
Cut sweet pea flowers frequently once they open, harvesting in the early morning when stems are fully hydrated for longest vase life. Remove spent blooms and developing seed pods to redirect energy into continuous flowering throughout the season rather than allowing the plant to set seed, which signals the end of bloom production.
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