Ornamental Sweet Pea Mixed Colour

Ornamental Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a flowering plant that is popular for its attractive and fragrant blooms. It is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, and is native to southern Italy, Sicily, and the Aegean Islands.

The plant grows as an annual or a short-lived perennial, depending on the climate and growing conditions. It typically reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) and produces long stems with tendrils that can climb or scramble over trellises, fences, or other support structures. The leaves are compound, with two oval-shaped leaflets and a central tendril.

The flowers of ornamental sweet pea are the main attraction, and they come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, red, blue, purple, and bi-colors. They are typically 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) across, with five petals that are arranged in a distinctive shape that resembles a butterfly with spread wings. The flowers are produced in clusters or racemes at the top of the stems and are highly fragrant, with a sweet, heady scent.

Ornamental sweet pea is easy to grow and care for and is a popular choice for gardens, borders, and containers. It prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. The plants benefit from regular watering and fertilizing, and deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the spring or started indoors and transplanted outside after the last frost.