FLOWER-SWEET PEA-PAINTED LADY
FLOWER-SWEET PEA-PAINTED LADY
A$3.50
Out of stock
Lathyrus odoratus
FLOWER-SWEET PEA-PAINTED LADY is the first ever bicolor sweet pea, & the first named sweet pea cultivar still with us from its discovery in 1737! Painted Lady is a beautiful rose, pastel pink & cream bicolor that is deliciously scented & heat tolerant. Begins flowering early & it will grow to 2.5 m tall, bearing hundreds of 3 cm bi-colored blooms on 20 -25 cm strong stems. An excellent garden performer, adaptable to most well-drained garden soils but avoid waterlogging the soil.
Sweet Pea “Painted Lady” is considered to be an annual climbing plant that can grow up to 6-8 feet tall with proper care and maintenance. They are also attractive to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies and are also a good choice for cut flowers. Sweet Peas come in a wide range of colours, that can be used in garden beds, borders, and containers. Also great for children and educational gardens, as they are easy to grow and fun to watch grow.

How to grow Sweet Pea Pained Lady
- Choose a locationin full sun and well-draining soil.
- Sow seeds directly directly in the garden after the last frost date in your area at 20-30°C on the surface of a free draining, damp seed compost, 3 seeds per 7.5cm plot. Then apply a layer of compost 1cm deep.
- Or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Place in a polythene bag until after germination.
- Provide support for your Sweet peas as they are climbing plants and will need some form of support, such as a trellis, fence, or netting to climb on.
- Sweet Peas require regular watering and fertilisation to thrive. Water the plants when the soil is dry to the touch and fertilise them every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertiliser.
- Deadheading or pinch off dead flowers to encourage new blooms and maintain a neat appearance.
Heritage of Sweet Pea-Painted Lady
Painted Lady Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’) originated in Italy during the 18th century. This variety dates to 1737 and was planted by Jefferson at Monticello in the early 1800s. Its delicate blooms feature bi-colored petals in shades of pink and white, reminiscent of the painted wings of butterflies. This heirloom variety has been cherished for generations for its charming appearance and sweet fragrance, making it a beloved addition to cottage gardens and floral arrangements.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
180
Season of Interest
Spring / Summer
Temperature Range
10 - 20
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender
Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Raise Seedlings
Soil
Well Drained,Fertile Soil
pH
6 - 7.5
Soil Temperature
10 - 21
Seed Preparation
Soak seeds overnight before sowing
Sowing Depth
2 - 3
Plant Spacing
15 - 20
Row spacing
45 - 60
Watering
Regular to keep soil moist, not waterlogged
Germination Time (Days)
10 - 20
Harvest Time (Days)
60 - 90
Good Companion Plants
Nasturtiums, Lavender, Marigolds, Lupins, Alyssum
Bad Companion Plants
Garlic and onions, Potatoes, Fennel
Pests
Aphids, Spider mites, Thrips
Diseases
powdery mildew
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden