Sweet Pea 'Parfume Promise' Seeds

'Promise' is a spectacular bi-colour Sweet Pea that brings a lively energy to the garden. It features large, wavy upper petals (standards) in a vibrant, rosy-pink, which contrast perfectly with the pure white lower petals (wings). It looks like a raspberry ripple ice cream in flower form.

This variety is part of the 'Spencer' family, meaning it has been bred for long, strong stems and large, frilly blooms, making it perfect for cutting. However, unlike many show varieties, it retains a lovely, sweet fragrance that captures the essence of a country summer.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Parfume Promise'

We love this plant for its visual impact. Single-colour sweet peas are elegant, but bi-colours like 'Promise' add texture and depth to an arrangement without you having to mix in other varieties. A bunch of these on their own looks sophisticated and complete.

It is also a vigorous climber. It races up trellis and netting, covering fences with lush green foliage and creating a wall of pink and white blooms from June right through to August.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Sweet Peas are **Hardy Annuals**.

They grow, flower, and die in one season but handle cold weather well.
The Strategy: For exhibition-quality blooms on the longest stems, sow in Autumn (Oct/Nov) and overwinter them in a cold frame. For a relaxed, garden display, sow in Spring (Jan-March).
Top Tip: Sweet Peas are deep rooters. Sow them in "root trainers," deep pots, or even empty toilet roll tubes to give the roots plenty of vertical space to grow.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Sweet Peas are hungry plants that thrive on rich soil and regular picking.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors in Oct/Nov or Jan-March. You can 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 inhibits germination, so avoid hot propagators! Germination takes 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 garden compost before planting out. Ensure you have a strong support structure (wigwam, trellis, or netting) ready for them to climb.

Care While Growing:
Tie them in: Use soft twine or sweet pea rings to guide the stems up the support.
Feed: Once flower buds appear, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser (tomato feed).
Pick, Pick, Pick! You must remove seed pods immediately. If the plant sets seed, it assumes its job is done and stops flowering.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Enhance the pink and white theme with these complementary 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 echo the white "wings" of the 'Promise' blooms.
• 💜 Larkspur 'Fancy Purple Picotee': For a detailed bouquet. The purple-edged Larkspur provides a stunning vertical contrast to the pink-and-white Sweet Peas, creating a sophisticated, multi-toned arrangement.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

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

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)