Sweet Pea 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' Seeds
Our exclusive 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' is a hand-picked selection of our very favourite Sweet Peas. We haven't just gone for size; we have selected varieties specifically for their powerful, nostalgic fragrance and their old-fashioned charm. Expect a tumbling riot of colour: soft lavenders, rich violets, creamy whites, and vintage pinks.
Sweet Peas are the soul of the cottage garden. Whether scrambling up a rustic hazel wigwam or trailing elegantly from a tall container, they provide armfuls of flowers for the house. This mix combines the elegance of the long-stemmed 'Spencer' types with the intense perfume of the traditional 'Grandiflora' types, giving you the best of both worlds.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Sweet Peas are **Hardy Annuals**.
They live for one season but can withstand cold weather.
The Strategy: You can sow them in Spring for summer flowers, but for the biggest, strongest plants with the longest stems, sow them in Autumn (October/November) and overwinter them in a cold frame or cool greenhouse.
Top Tip: Sweet Peas have deep roots. Use "root trainers" or deep pots (like toilet roll tubes) when sowing to give them plenty of room to stretch out.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Sweet Peas are easy to grow, but they are hungry and thirsty plants.
Germination:
Sow indoors in Oct/Nov or Jan-March. Soak the seeds in tepid water for a few hours before sowing to soften the hard coat. Sow 1cm deep in moist compost. Keep cool (approx 15°C). Heat can inhibit germination, so don't put them in a hot cupboard! Germination takes 10-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They need **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. Dig in plenty of manure or compost before planting out. They need a support structure (canes, trellis, or netting) ready for them to climb up immediately.
Care While Growing:
Tie them in: Gently tie the young stems to your support frame to get them started.
Feed and Water: They are thirsty! Water regularly and feed with a high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) once flowers appear.
Remove Seed Pods: If you see a green bean pod forming, snip it off immediately, or the plant will think its job is done and stop flowering.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Lathyrus odoratus |
| Common Name | Sweet Pea |
| Hardiness | H3 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 1.8m - 2m (Climber) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm - 30cm apart |
| Great for | 👃 Scented Gardens ✂️ Cut Flowers 🪜 Covering Fences 🏡 Cottage Style |
| Seed Count | Approx. 25 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Sweet Peas inevitably get "scruffy legs" (the bottom leaves turn yellow/brown). Hide the base with these bushy annuals:
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The perfect screen. Plant white Cosmos in front of your Sweet Pea wigwam. The ferny foliage hides the Sweet Pea stems, and the white flowers look fresh against the colourful climbers.
- ❄️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': The florist's dream. If you are growing Sweet Peas for cutting, you must grow Gypsophila. They are the classic "bouquet" combination, and growing them together in the border looks just as good as it does in a vase.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in Autumn for early flowers, or Spring for summer blooms.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Seeds | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Important Toxicity Note
Unlike garden peas, Sweet Pea seeds are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities. They are grown for their beauty and scent, not for eating. Do not mistake the seed pods for edible mange tout!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This curated mix focuses on fragrance and vigour. While some modern varieties lose their scent, we ensure 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' retains the powerful perfume that makes Sweet Peas famous.
- Regular price
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£2.10 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.10
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