It’s easy to grow your own flowers from seed. Here’s beautiful flowers, growing information & seed collections for gifts.
COUNTRY GARDEN SEED SHOP
Sweet Pea 'Karen Louise'
Long strong stems, a light, delicate scent and plenty of beautiful lavender ruffled flowers are characteristics of Karen Louise Sweet Peas. Buds and newly opened flowers are deep lilac which gradually fade as the blooms age. It's a popular Sweet Pea for all the right reasons. If you are a lover of vintage colours or you are growing your own wedding flowers then Karen Louise provides a delicious contrast to white and cream blooms and may be right up your street.
Sweet Peas are brilliant plants for beginners. They are very easy to grow and super productive giving you masses of flowers for picking. Loved by flower farmers for their long stems and sophisticated blooms, Karen Louise is also good for a sunny spot in your garden and is an excellent choice for exhibiting at your local flower show.
| Genus | Lathyrus odoratus |
| Variety | Karen Louise |
| Plant Type | Hardy Annual Climber, Exhibition Sweet Pea |
| Height & Spread | 1.8m-2.4m tall x 15 cm wide (6-8 feet tall x 6 inches) |
| Sow Seeds | Sow September-December for robust plants then again in January - April to extend the flowering season. In cold areas start off indoors. Grow 2 seedlings to a 1L pot. HOW TO GROW SWEET PEAS |
| Plant Out | Prepare a trellis with canes spaced 20cm apart (8 inches) then plant one pot with two seedlings next to each cane. Tie the stems in as they grow. |
| Conditions Required | Sweet Peas have long roots and need fertile, moist but well drained soil. Like most annual flowers Sweet Peas prefer a sunny spot. They will also grow in dappled shade. Water thoroughly in dry spells and feed to keep the flowers going. |
| Flower Production | Buckets of ruffled, scented flowers from June to September. |
| Picking | Pick Sweet Peas when the first flower is open and the top two are still in bud. It's best to pick early in the morning or in the cool evening and stand them in deep water for a few hours before arranging. Lasts 5 days in a vase. |
| Planting Combinations | Sweet Peas are some of the best annual climbing flowers that you can grow. You will be amazed at how many flowers are produced. Karen Louise makes a great show on it's own and also works well growing with other Sweet Peas in complimentary colours. |