Sweet Pea 'Mollie Rilstone' Seeds

'Mollie Rilstone' is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Sweet Peas ever bred. It features creamy-white petals that are delicately edged (picotee) with soft antique rose-pink. As the flower ages, the pink gently bleeds into the cream, giving the whole bloom a flushed, romantic appearance.

This variety is a 'Spencer' type, meaning it produces long, straight stems and large, frilly flowers perfect for cutting. However, unlike many modern Spencers which sacrifice smell for size, 'Mollie Rilstone' retains a powerful, heady fragrance, offering you the best of both worlds.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Mollie Rilstone'

We love this plant for its sophistication. The colour is subtle and elegant, fitting perfectly into pastel borders or wedding bouquets. It doesn't shout for attention like the bright reds; instead, it draws you in with its detail and scent.

It is an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winner, which is the gold standard for plants. This guarantees that it is reliable, vigorous, and performs exceptionally well in British gardens. It produces flowers relentlessly from June to August if picked regularly.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

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.
Top Tip: 'Mollie Rilstone' is a vigorous climber. Give it a tall wigwam or trellis (at least 6ft) and tie it in regularly to keep it growing upwards.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Sweet Peas are hungry feeders that need a deep root run.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors in Oct/Nov or Jan-March. You can soak seeds in tepid water overnight to speed up hydration (optional). Sow 1cm deep in deep pots (root trainers or toilet roll tubes). Keep cool (approx 15°C)—heat inhibits germination! They usually sprout in 10-21 days.

Where to Sow:
They need **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. Dig a trench and fill it with well-rotted manure or compost before planting out. They are climbers, so ensure you have your support structure ready before you plant out.

Care While Growing:
Pinch: When seedlings have 3-4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the growing tip to encourage bushier growth.
Feed: Once the first flower buds appear, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser (tomato feed).
Pick: You must remove seed pods immediately. If the plant sets seed, it stops flowering. Harvest every 2 days.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

To create a truly romantic display, pair 'Mollie Rilstone' with other delicate, picotee, or frothy flowers:

• ❄️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': The bridal bouquet classic. The tiny white flowers of Gypsophila provide the perfect frothy skirt to hide the base of the Sweet Peas, creating a soft, cloud-like effect in the border.
• 💜 Larkspur 'Fancy Purple Picotee': Create a "Picotee" theme. This Larkspur has the same beautiful edging effect on its petals as 'Mollie Rilstone', but in a contrasting violet-purple. Growing them together creates a very sophisticated, designer look.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in Autumn for early flowers, or Spring for summer blooms.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)