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Lathyrus odoratus ‘Apricot Queen’ (Sweet Pea)

Sweet Pea 'Apricot Queen', Spencer Sweet Peas

AGM Award
Lathyrus Odoratus 'Apricot Queen',Sweet Pea 'Apricot Queen', Fragrant Flowers, Apricot Flowers, Orange Flowers, Annuals, Annual plant, Cut flowers, deer resistant flowers

Strongly scented, Lathyrus odoratus ‘Apricot Queen’ is a vigorous climbing annual with very pretty, soft apricot flowers. This Spencer Sweet Pea is a lovely addition to the garden and perfect for containers where its rich perfume can be enjoyed. Ideal for providing cut flowers that will fill your home with their heady perfume too. Did you know that the more you pick them the more they will continue to flower?

  • Native to the Mediterranean region, Sweet Peas grow and bloom best in cool, mild climates where they enjoy a long blooming season, extending from spring to fall. Sweet Peas resent hot and humid weather.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding merits (1994)
  • Grows up to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
  • Sweet Peas love full sun or light shade in rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-draining soils. The best performance occurs in cool soils with good air circulation. A heavy application of mulch will help keep the roots cool and moist. Incorporate well-rotted organic manure before planting and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Avoid overhead watering.
  • Sweet Peas are wonderful when massed in borders, containers, or climbing and twining on arches or arbors.
  • Attractive to bees and butterflies, deer generally ignore Sweet Peas.
  • In Zone 7 or colder: Get a jump on the season by starting Sweet Peas indoors. Plant Sweet Peas out into the garden in very late winter or early spring as soon as the soil is dry enough. In Zones 8, 9, or 10: Plant Sweet Peas in late fall, so they can develop and bloom in late winter and early spring. Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours in order to hasten germination. You do not need to soak seeds in a temperate climate. Once planted, germination can take 7 to 15 days, depending on the soil temperature.
  • To encourage bushy growth, pinch off the tops when plants are 6 in. tall (15 cm), not before or you will promote side-shoot development.
  • Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and maintain a neat appearance. Do not hesitate to cut flowers for your bouquets as this will force your Sweet Peas to produce additional stems for bloom. Cut back hard and fertilize if you notice little flowering after the first flush of bloom.
  • Propagate by seed. Sow in a cold frame in early autumn, early spring or in-situ in mid-spring
  • Sweet Peas are susceptible to slugs, snails, Pythium root rot, powdery mildew, rust, gray mold, and various leaf spots.
  • Sweet peas are NOT edible! Acute ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Climbers
Plant Family Leguminosae
Genus Lathyrus
Common names Sweet Pea
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)
Spread 1' (30cm)
Spacing 2" - 3" (5cm - 8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Lathyrus vestitus (Pacific Pea)
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Mollie Rilstone’ (Sweet Pea)
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Dorothy Eckford’ (Sweet Pea)
Lathyrus × hammettii ‘Turquoise Lagoon’ (Sweet Pea)
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Senator’ (Sweet Pea)
Lathyrus odoratus ‘Leominster Boy’ (Sweet Pea)

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Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Climbers
Plant Family Leguminosae
Genus Lathyrus
Common names Sweet Pea
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)
Spread 1' (30cm)
Spacing 2" - 3" (5cm - 8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Lathyrus
Not sure which Lathyrus to pick?
Compare Now

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