Lathyrus aureus

PERENNIAL GOLDEN PEA

Lathyrus aureus
PERENNIAL GOLDEN PEA

Lathyrus aureus is a superb  dwarf, clump forming, perennial cousin of the familiar annual Sweet Pea.
But with the most unusual colouring.

Peas of rich brewed beer colour

The summer pea flowers are the colour of rich brewed beer.

Long graceful trusses of pea flowers

And borne in great trusses.
Just like Sweet Peas they make excellent but very unusual cut flowers.

Perennial, non-climbing & long blooming

However Lathyrus vernus is a perennial rather than an annual, and grows as a dense mound, rather than climbing.
And it flowers for a long period over summer.
Above a mound of decorative, lacy, ladder-like foliage which is completely self supporting.

Pretty foliage mound

So it is ideal as a feature shape and colour in the flower bed, in a patch for cut flowers.
Or for trailing out over the edges of a pot.

Hardy Greek with a tough constitution

The Perennial Golden Pea hails from Greece, and so has a very hardy constitution.

Copes with extremes of summer heat & winter frost

Allowing it to cope with extremes of summer heat and winter frost.
So it thrives in Full Sun to Part Shade in any well drained soil.

Copes with poor soils

It is not fussy about soil type, providing it is well drained.
So can be found growing happily in soils from sandy; rocky or gravel to clay based; from acid to limestone alkaline.
And it is resoundingly frost hardy.

Water-wise & dry hardy

As well as water-wise and tolerant of periods of heat and dry. 

Beloved by native & honeybees plus butterflies

Native bees as well as honeybees just love foraging amongst the long, graceful trusses of pea flowers.
Because they are rich in both nectar and pollen, with a mass of blooms over a long period.
Simply bliss for a busy bee.

Rabbit & deer resistant 

Fortunately this lovely plant contains an irritant in the sap which stings the mouth if eaten.
So rabbits and deer (and goats and sheep in its native habitat) leave it alone.
A wonderful trick by the plant to prevent it being eaten by herds of Greek goats on the hillsides.

Lathyrus aureus makes a 45cm. High mound with spikes of flowers x 60cm. rounded mound.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Can be sown outdoors direct in the garden in autumn, winter or early spring.
OR
Sown indoors in a punnet at any time whenever suitable temperatures are available.

Sowing indoors & outdoors: First soak the pea seeds in warm (not boiling) water and allow to cool overnight.
Pea seeds that are ready to sow will have sunk to the bottom by morning. Any that are not yet ready will be floating.
Should you have any floating seeds – then roughen the hard coat by gently rubbing the seeds between 2 sheets of fine sandpaper, or rubbing between your hands with some grit or sand. Then re-soak overnight again.

Plant pea seeds 2.5cm. deep.

Temperatures of 18-20°C. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Seeds germinate in approx. 14 days. at optimum temperature.
However have patience because Lathyrus aureus has a reputation for irregular germination.
So not all seeds are likely to appear at once.
This is a natural defence of the plant to maximise germination success.

Seed Count: 5 seeds per Pack. (Seeds of this hardy little beauty are scarce).

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