How to Grow The Everlasting Pea

The Everlasting Sweet Pea, Lathyrus latifolius, looks very similar to the annual sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus. The Latin name "odoratus" highlights the essential difference between the two varieties. Annual sweet peas are usually scented; everlasting peas are not.   

The Everlasting Pea is an attractive shrubby climber, easy to grow from seed with many delicate flowers, usually in soft pastel shades, blues and purples. There is also a pure white variety called "White Pearl". Many climbing plants are more difficult/time-consuming, such as Clematis, or Wisteria. The Everlasting Pea is refreshingly easy to grow. There are about 20 varieties of everlasting Pea seed available to buy, but only one, called Lathyrus nervosus, Lord Anson's Blue Pea, which has a discernible sweet pea scent. It is a vigorous climbing plant, with blue/lavender coloured scented flowers.

The Everlasting Sweet Pea is easy to raise from seed and Suttons have a lovely collection seed mix.

Really easy to germinate and grow from seed. To germinate, follow the same method as for annual peas, but always sow in the Spring. Sow between Feb and March, in seed trays or small containers using a peat-free compost. Keep in a warm place around 18C to germinate, which will take around 10 days.  

Pot on when large enough to handle and then move outside to gradually harden off, ready for planting out. The everlasting pea is a hardy perennial.

Everlasting Peas are best planted in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Growth is similar to that of the annual sweet pea, clinging on with tendrils climbing or scrambling over an obelisk, trellis or adjacent shrubs.  Unlike the annual pea, the everlasting pea is very hardy, H7, which means it will survive the most severe of winters.

It is not particular about the soil type, acidic or alkaline, or clay. Ensuring it has plenty of moisture will help to fend off powdery mildew. It does not require pruning and will die back in late summer/early autumn . It should be cut back to the ground after flowering or in the spring.

The tendrils can be a problem as they will grab a hold of adjacent plants and can swamp them. This video about removing tendrils from sweet peas applies equally to the everlasting pea. It is not necessary to feed or grow in particularly rich soil, everlasting peas are tough, grow anywhere sort of plant.

I find the everlasting pea quite vigorous, and it takes over a bit and swamps adjacent plants. During the summer, I remove tendrils and cut it back a bit to keep it under control.

There is also a variety called Lathyrus grandiflorus. Warning, it is very vigorous, bordering on invasive, and I would personally avoid. L. latifolius is better behaved.