Sweet Pea Seeds 'Old Fashioned Selection'

When to Sow Sweet Peas

Sow indoors or under cover in September–October or January–February. Autumn sowing gives plants an early start, while spring sowing is another reliable option. Seeds can also be sown directly outdoors once the soil begins to warm in spring.

Preparing Your Seeds

Sweet pea seeds can be sown without special preparation. Alternatively, place them on moist kitchen roll in a covered container in a warm room and sow carefully when they begin to swell or sprout. Another option is to soak them overnight and sow immediately afterwards.

Sowing Under Cover

Fill root trainers, deep seed trays or individual 8cm pots with peat-free seed compost. Sow one seed per cell, approximately 1–2cm deep, cover lightly and water gently. Keep at around 15°C until germination, somewhere cool rather than in a very warm room. Germination generally takes 1–2 weeks.

Growing On & Pinching Out

Once seedlings appear, keep them somewhere bright and cool to encourage sturdy growth. Autumn-sown plants can be overwintered in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, with protection from severe frost and excessive winter wet.

Pinch out the growing tip when plants reach around 7–10cm tall to encourage side shoots and bushier growth.

Planting Outdoors

Gradually acclimatise plants raised under cover before planting out. Choose a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Plant from late March onwards when conditions are suitable, spacing plants approximately 20cm apart. Avoid disturbing the roots and water thoroughly after planting.

Direct Sowing Outdoors

Prepare a weed-free seedbed enriched with garden compost. Sow seeds approximately 2cm deep and initially around 7cm apart. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge, then thin to around 20cm apart.

Top Tip

Sweet peas develop long roots early, so deep cells or root trainers are particularly useful for raising strong young plants with minimal root disturbance.

Watering & Feeding

Water regularly during dry weather, especially as flower buds develop. Keep the soil evenly moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. Feed during active growth and flowering with a suitable liquid plant feed, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Supporting & Training

Provide canes, netting, trellis or an obelisk approximately 1.8m tall. Guide young shoots towards the support and tie stems in loosely as they grow, particularly where they cannot grip naturally.

Encouraging More Flowers

Pick flowers frequently and remove faded blooms before seedpods form. Allowing plants to set seed can reduce further flowering, so regular picking and deadheading are important for maintaining the display.

Cutting Sweet Peas for Vases

Pick stems in the cooler part of the day, when the lower flowers are open and the upper buds are showing colour. Place them straight into clean water and remove any foliage that would sit below the waterline.

Pests & Problems

Protect young plants from slugs and snails, and watch for aphids on tender shoots. Powdery mildew can develop during hot, dry weather, so maintain consistent moisture and good air circulation.

Cottage Gardens & Sunny Borders

Old-fashioned Grandiflora sweet peas are a natural choice for cottage garden planting. Grow them amongst other summer flowers, using canes, trellis or an obelisk to support their climbing stems.

Paths, Doorways & Seating Areas

Position these strongly scented sweet peas where you can enjoy their fragrance as you pass. A sunny border beside a garden path or seating area makes a particularly good location.

Cut Flower Gardens

Grow a row against canes or netting for a regular supply of colourful, fragrant flowers. Their traditional blooms are lovely in informal bouquets and smaller summer arrangements.

Fences, Trellis & Obelisks

These climbing annuals can bring summer colour to a sunny fence or garden structure. Provide netting, twine or another suitable framework for the tendrils to grip.

Growing in Containers

Grow in large, deep pots with drainage holes and a sturdy climbing support. Use good-quality compost and keep plants well watered during warm weather. For hanging baskets and window boxes, choose a compact or trailing sweet pea variety instead.

Old-Fashioned Grandiflora Sweet Peas

Traditional Grandiflora sweet peas are prized for their classic flower shapes and often powerful fragrance. Their flowers are generally smaller and less ruffled than modern Spencer types, making them particularly appealing for informal cottage gardens and scented bouquets.

Spencer Sweet Peas

Spencer varieties are known for their larger, often waved or ruffled flowers. Many are popular for cutting, although fragrance, flower size and stem length vary between varieties.

Dwarf & Trailing Sweet Peas

Compact and trailing varieties are useful for smaller spaces, patio containers and hanging baskets. Unlike tall climbing sweet peas, they generally need little or no vertical support.

Choosing for Fragrance

Fragrance varies between sweet pea varieties. Old Fashioned Selection is a particularly good choice for gardeners looking for the rich perfume associated with traditional sweet peas.

Choosing for Cutting

For summer bouquets, consider both fragrance and flower form. Traditional Grandiflora types are lovely for smaller, informal arrangements, while many Spencer varieties offer larger flowers and longer stems.

Choosing for Colour

Mixed selections offer a range of flower colours from one packet, while named varieties are useful when planning a specific colour scheme. Old Fashioned Selection is supplied as a mixed-colour assortment rather than a guaranteed combination of individually named shades.

What to Expect When They Arrive

Supplied as a packet of 30 Sweet Pea 'Old Fashioned Selection' seeds, ready to sow at the appropriate time of year.

Getting Ready to Sow

Prepare deep seed trays, root trainers or individual pots with peat-free seed compost. A bright, cool growing area will be useful once seedlings emerge.

Storing Seeds Before Sowing

If you're not sowing immediately, keep the packet somewhere cool, dry and protected from moisture and direct sunlight.

Important to Know

Ornamental sweet peas are grown for their flowers, not for eating. Their seeds and pods are poisonous if eaten and must not be confused with edible garden peas. Keep them away from children and pets.