King Edward VII Sweet Pea is a stunning heirloom variety of Lathyrus odoratus that reaches a full 6 feet tall, producing fragrant blooms from spring through summer over about 84 days from seed to flower. This deer-resistant climber thrives in full sun with moderate water, growing just 8 inches wide yet making a dramatic vertical statement in any garden. Named after the British monarch, this variety carries decades of garden history while attracting pollinators and filling the air with the classic sweet pea fragrance that defined Victorian gardens.
6
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
72in H x 8in W
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High
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King Edward VII stands as a genuinely tall sweet pea, stretching to 72 inches and demanding vertical space where other varieties might struggle. The heirloom status speaks to its reliability and proven performance across generations of gardeners who've saved and replanted its seeds. Blooming consistently from March through August, it extends the fragrant season far longer than many modern introductions, and its appeal to pollinators makes it as useful in the ecosystem as it is beautiful in the garden.
Sweet peas are grown primarily for their fragrant cut flowers, which have been treasured in bouquets and arrangements since the Victorian era. The blooms are ideal for vase arrangements where their perfume can fill a room, and gardeners often grow them specifically to have fresh sweetly scented flowers for indoor display throughout the spring and summer months.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds in deep pots 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, planting them 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Keep soil at 55 to 65°F until seeds germinate, which typically takes 5 to 30 days. Once seedlings emerge and before leaves fully unfurl, move them to cold conditions outside to acclimate them to outdoor temperatures.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost. Space plants 6 inches apart to give them room to develop their root systems and climb vertically.
Sow directly outdoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost, planting seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Prepare the soil by incorporating compost and aged manure before sowing.
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