[PLANT PROFILE] SWEET PEAS

March 19, 2025 Karen Logan

SWEET PEAS

Lathyrus odoratus

A Fragrant Climbing Favorite

Sweet peas are a hardy annual that thrive in cool weather and full sun, producing an abundance of blooms from late spring through fall. Their delicate tendrils eagerly climb trellises, fences, or arbors, bringing vibrant color and a light, sweet fragrance to the garden. Reminiscent of classic cottage gardens, their scent and charm make them a favorite among gardeners and flower lovers alike.

Part of Andrew Wiley’s Hardy Annual Seed Project, these sweet peas were sown in the fall to develop stronger roots, resulting in longer-lasting flowers and a more robust growing season. Regular watering, deadheading, and support for climbing will keep them flourishing. When plants reach about 8 inches tall, pinching the central stem encourages more branching and fuller growth.

A top choice for cut flowers, sweet peas look stunning in bouquets and bloom more when harvested regularly. Whether left to climb in the garden or brought indoors, they bring beauty and fragrance wherever they grow.

SWEET PEAS A GREAT CHOICE FOR CUT FLOWERS!

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SOWING

SWEET PEAS

Follow these simple steps to set your plants up for success.

1. Prepare the Soil

Dig a large hole and mix in plenty of compost—sweet peas thrive in rich, well-draining soil.
Choose a sunny spot for the best growth and yield.

2. Planting & Supporting

For best results, plant sweet pea seedlings before they become root-bound to avoid root disturbance.
Provide a support structure like bamboo canes or trellises to help vines climb.

3. Water & Feed

Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, especially as plants begin to grow and flower.
Apply a balanced fertilizer regularly—peas are heavy feeders and need extra nutrients to thrive.

4. Maintenance for Continuous Growth

Deadhead (remove spent blooms) from sweet peas to encourage flowering into late summer or even fall.
Cut Sweet Peas frequently to keep plants producing.

WITH PROPER CARE, YOUR SWEET PEAS WILL REWARD YOU WITH LUSH BLOOMS ALL SEASON LONG!

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NOW AVAILABLE!

A variety of hardy annual Sweet Pea seedlings Andrew sowed in the fall are now ready to be planted out!

High Scent
**Cupanis Original**
**Elegance Lavender**
**April in Paris**
**Raspberry Twirl**
**Queen of Hearts**

**Mermaids Dream**
**Enchante**
**Zinfandel**
**Royal Wedding**
**Watermelon**
**Strawberry Fields**

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spring checklist

need a hand this spring?

[PLANT PROFILE] AMSONIA

May 29, 2024 Karen Logan

AMSONIA

The Amsonia tabernamontana was brought to my attention long ago with it’s recognizably distinct shape and blue flowers. That year I noticed the shape of the Amsonia again, in it’s beautiful yellow fall color. Their stupendous rounded form originates from the central crown of the plant. It’s rounded shape and sturdy form result from many individual stems with the exact right length to round it out. When in bloom, a cluster of small blue, star shaped flowers adorn every tip. Hence the common name, Blue Star.

THE AMSONIA TABERNAEMONTANA WAS ON THE LIST AWARDED BEST 75 GARDEN PLANTS BY AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY!

AMSONIA WE CARRY AT VINEYARD GARDENS

Amsonia has multi season interest with it’s blue spring flowers, fall color and interesting texture. Amsonia’s texture contrasts beautifully with the plants around it, in particular the hubrichtii with it’s long needle like foliage. Amsonia offers a lot in the garden plus it is deer resistant!

Amsonia tabernamontana: the species
Blue Ice: a more compact cultivar
Amsonia hubrichtii is another species of Amsonia we carry. It is quite different than the tabernamontana. It has very narrow, needle like leaves that line the stems, which again originate in a central crown. Tips lined with blue flowers. Amsonia hubrichtii was awarded the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 2011.

PLANTS ARE CLASSIFIED BY THEIR FLOWERS. IT’S THE FLOWERS THAT HAVE TO BE SIMILAR FOR THE PLANTS TO BE RELATED.

CARE

Amsonia are easy to grow. They are US prairie plants so they are not fussy.
They prefer well drained soil
They prefer full sun, but tabernamontana does ok in a partial shade. It just won’t bloom as well.

Since that first encounter long ago I have grown to love the Genus!

Amsonia hubrichtii in Vinieyard Gardens garden bed

pollinator plants

perennials, shrubs & trees

learn more

deer resistant plants and shrubs

VINEYARD GARDENS WORKSHOPS & COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

April 5, 2024 Karen Logan

Lettuce, herbs and lavender illustration by karen blackerby logan

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Join us Saturday Morning

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GARDEN WORKSHOP

EARLY SPRING PRUNING

SATURDAY APRIL 6TH // 11:00AM // VINEYARD GARDENS

Andrew Wiley will be leading a talk about the ins and outs of early spring pruning.

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GREENS & COOL

WEATHER VEGGIES

GROW YOUR OWN GREENS

Salad material, lettuce, spinach, endive, mignonette

The lettuces and the cilantro, in particular, can be done by direct seeding in Mid April.

Start the other herbs and cool weather veggies inside first and then plant out as seedlings.

WE GROW ALL THESE IN PACKS FROM SEED . WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF SEEDS & WILL HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF PACK SELECTIONS!

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Brassicas (like broccoli), Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustards, Collards

EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

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ORNAMENTAL CHERRIES, JAPANESE APRICOTS & SPRING FLOWERING TREES

Now is the time of year to plant Flowering Apricots and Ornamental Cherries. Japanese Apricot Trees erupt in pink fragrant flowers in mid to late winter. They are especially fragrant on warm days.