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The shop is now closed. The listing here is for information only. Please see the Home Page for more information.
The shop is now closed. The listing here is for information only. Please see the Home Page for more information.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani' | ||||||||||||
Sweet Pea 'Cupani' | ||||||||||||
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Seeds of this delightful heirloom sweet pea was sent in 1699 by Father Cupani, a Franciscan monk from Sicily, to Dr Robert Uvedale, who resided in Enfield, Middlesex. All our modern sweet peas are descended from these seeds. The flowers, which have dark blue standards and purple wings, are produced on short stems and are smaller than those of their modern descendents, but what they lack in stature they more than make up for with their scent - these must be the most highly fragrant sweet peas! | ||||||||||||
Sowing and/or growing instructions | ||||||||||||
Nick the seed coating and plant in spring under glass an inch deep (sweet peas need darkness to aid germination) in pots of compost, either singly, or 20 or so to a 3in pot, to be pricked out later. Keep moist. Pinch out growing tips when 3 or 4 true leaves have formed. Plant out in a sunny position in rich, moist, soil or compost, providing support in the form of wigwams or netting. Much could be said on the subject of sweet pea growing, but I will mention only the bare bones here - that sweet peas need humus-rich soil, moisture, sunshine and feeding, and regular picking or dead-heading to encourage repeat flowering. Much more information can be found elsewhere online for those who wish to research the subject more thoroughly. |