Sweet Pea 'Mollie Rilstone' Seeds

Lathyrus odoratus 'Mollie Rilstone' is a Hardy Annual (H3). It is highly prized for holding the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), a seal of approval that confirms its superior garden performance and reliability in the UK.

Spencer Heritage: Unlike smaller wild types, Spencer Sweet Peas are bred for "frill and thrill." They produce significantly larger, ruffled blooms on exceptionally long stems, making them the preferred choice for professional florists and exhibitors.

Exquisite Fragrance: While some large-flowered modern hybrids lose their scent, 'Mollie Rilstone' retains a powerful, heady perfume that will fill a room with just a few stems in a vase.

Sweet Peas are "hungry and thirsty" climbers that reward good soil preparation with a summer-long display.

How to Sow:
For the strongest plants and longest stems, sow indoors in October or November and overwinter in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow from January to March. Soak seeds in tepid water for 2-4 hours before sowing 1cm deep in deep pots or root trainers to accommodate their long taproots.

Where to Plant:
Plant out in April or May in full sun and rich, fertile soil. They require a sturdy support structure like a trellis, wigwam, or netting to climb immediately. Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before planting.

Ongoing Care:
The golden rule for Sweet Peas is "Pick, Pick, Pick!" Regularly harvesting the flowers prevents seed pods from forming; once the plant sets seed, it will stop flowering. Feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) once the first buds appear.

Sweet Peas often have "scruffy legs" as the lower leaves fade; hide them with these perfect partners:

• ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Textural Screen. Planting bushy white Cosmos in front of your Sweet Peas hides the lower stems with feathery foliage, while the pure white saucers complement the cream-and-pink 'Mollie Rilstone' blooms.
• ❄️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': The Florist's Duo. Growing Sweet Peas and Gypsophila together gives you a ready-made bouquet in the garden. The airy white mist of the Gypsophila highlights the frilled antique edges of the Sweet Peas.

Sow in autumn or early spring for a vertical display of scented colour.