Perennial Sweet Pea

Perennial Sweet Pea (also known as everlasting pea) is a vigorous, long-lived climber that adds colour and resilience to your garden. While these blooms lack the fragrance of annual sweet peas, they make up for it with their generous size, profusion, and pastel hues. Ideal for trellises, fences, or sprawling along dry slopes, this variety thrives where others struggle. Once established, it returns reliably year after year, creating a low-maintenance floral display that supports pollinators and adds beauty to hard-to-reach spaces.

The seeds of these sweet peas are mildly poisonous, containing lathyrogens that, if ingested, in large quantities can cause a condition called Lathyrus. Symptoms of Lathyrus are paralysis, labored breathing, and convulsions.

Where Can You Grow Perennial Sweet Pea?
Best suited to Zones 3–9, perennial sweet peas prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are ideal for dry, sunny slopes, fences, or other areas where a low-maintenance climbing flower is desired.

History and Historical Uses
Originally from Southern Europe, perennial sweet peas have long been used to beautify agricultural fencing and open landscapes with tough growing conditions. While not edible or scented like their annual cousins, these tough perennials were prized for their low maintenance, extended blooming season, and ability to colonise difficult areas.

Canadian Zone Information
Zones 8–9: Direct sow in autumn or early spring; thrives with minimal care.
Zones 5–7: Sow in early spring; mulch lightly in fall to support perennial growth.
Zones 3–4: Sow in spring and provide extra mulch for winter protection or start indoors.

How to Grow and Harvest Perennial Sweet Pea

Planting: Sow seeds 1.5cm (½in) deep, spaced 7–10cm (3–4in) apart near a trellis or fence. Soak seeds overnight before planting for better germination.
Watering: Keep moist until established; becomes drought-tolerant in its second year.
Harvesting: Cut flowers regularly to encourage blooming; not suitable for culinary use.
Maintenance: Mulch lightly and trim back in autumn if needed to encourage tidy spring regrowth.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

Allow to Flower and Seed: Let a few pods fully mature and dry on the vine.
Harvest Pods: Once dry and brittle, collect pods before they shatter naturally.
Dry and Store: Remove seeds from pods and allow to dry fully before storing.
Viability: Store seeds in a cool, dry place; viable for up to 4 years.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)