Sweet Pea

Heat Tolerance: Killed by summer heat in Arizona

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Europe

Growth Habits: Vine, up to 5 feet tall (1.5 m) or more

Watering Needs: Regular water

Propagation: Seeds

Sweet peas are an excellent spring flower in Arizona. They produce an abundance of flowers that can be used as cut flowers while leaving enough on the vine to keep it highly decorative. A lot of cultivars are selected for the beauty of their flowers, and if you are more interested in the scent, look for the mention of the fragrance in the description.

Sweet peas need full sun and are killed by the heat in May, in Phoenix.
Seeds are poisonous

Culture:
The Sweet Peas are heavy feeder, they need a soil rich in organic materials and they need monthly fertilizer application. If your soil is not rich enough, add soil conditionner or mulch to it.

Propagation:
Prepare the location where you will grow the sweet peas by setting strings, nets, or branches that the peas will need to climb. Soak seeds for a few hours to a day before planting, and plant them 0.5 inch deep (1.2 cm). They will still take a week or two before coming out. Mulching the roots will keep them cooler and will increase the length of the flower production. When the vines stop blooming, it is time to remove them.