Mammoth Choice Sweet Pea is an open-pollinated cultivar of Lathyrus odoratus prized for its large, long-stemmed flowers that make exceptional cut arrangements. This compact grower reaches maturity in 75-85 days and thrives in full sun across hardiness zones where it can be direct-sown or transplanted. Frost-tolerant and high in water needs, it's equally at home cascading down a cottage garden fence or climbing a sturdy trellis, producing blooms abundantly from early summer through mid-July.
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Large flowers unfurl on exceptionally long stems, making this variety a florist's dream for cut arrangements. The compact growth habit means you get maximum blooms without an overwhelming sprawl, and because harvesting flowers triggers more blooms, each plant rewards regular cutting with increasingly generous floral displays. Sow it as early as spring soil allows, pinch back young plants when they reach 6-8 inches tall, and you'll have an endless supply of fresh flowers that stay fresh longest when cut in the morning with petals just opening.
Mammoth Choice Sweet Pea excels as a cut flower, delivering armfuls of blossoms for indoor bouquets and arrangements. Its long stems and profuse flowering habit also make it a natural choice for cottage garden displays, back borders, and living screens along fences and arbors where its compact form doesn't overwhelm the landscape.
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Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in 72-cell flats or deep-cell seedling containers 4-5 weeks before your planned transplant date. Darkness is required for germination, so cover seeds fully. Germination temperature should range between 50-70°F. Seedlings will tolerate a light frost, so you can safely harden them off relatively early in spring.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil has warmed and light frost danger has passed. Thin seedlings as needed once first true leaves appear, spacing final plants 4 inches apart. Install trellis support at planting time to prevent root disturbance later.
Direct sow seeds 2-3 seeds every 6 inches, 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, once soil temperature reaches at least 55°F in early spring. Sow at the same time you would plant garden peas. You can accelerate germination by rubbing seeds lightly with sandpaper and soaking them for one hour in warm (110°F) water before planting to help soften the seed coat.
Harvest flowers in the morning when they are freshest and petals are just beginning to open. Cut with a clean knife that has been dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to prevent disease transmission. Cut approximately when half the flowers on a stem are already open. Regular harvesting increases overall bloom production, so don't hesitate to cut frequently for arrangements.
Pinch the growing tip when plants reach 6-8 inches tall to encourage denser branching and increase flower production. Regular harvesting of flowers serves as a form of pruning and actually stimulates the plant to produce even more blooms.
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