Sweet Pea Old Spice Starry Night
Sweet Pea Old Spice Starry Night
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Sweet Pea Old Spice Starry Night
Sweet Pea 'Old Spice Starry Night' Seeds
Sweet Pea 'Old Spice Starry Night' seeds belong to the "Old Spice" series, which is renowned for restoring the original, powerful fragrance characteristic of wild sweet peas while incorporating modern heat tolerance. The 'Starry Night' selection is noted for its dramatic and moody colour palette, featuring velvety bi-colours in shades of deep violet, indigo, maroon, and purple.
As a "Grandiflora" type, these flowers are slightly smaller than frilly exhibition varieties; however, they provide double the perfume. They are specifically bred to be tougher and more resilient to summer heat than standard 'Spencer' varieties, allowing them to continue blooming and providing scent through the July sun.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Lathyrus odoratus 'Old Spice Starry Night' is a Hardy Annual (H3). Unlike many modern hybrids that sacrifice fragrance for frills, this variety prioritises the intense, nostalgic perfume that made Sweet Peas a cottage garden staple.
Grandiflora Advantage: Belonging to the Grandiflora group, it is far more tolerant of high summer temperatures than common 'Spencer' types. This means the plants are less likely to "shut down" during a UK heatwave, continuing to produce flowers and scent well into August and September.
Vertical Interest: These are vigorous climbers reaching up to 1.8m. They are perfect for growing up obelisks, wigwams, or trellis, providing essential vertical structure and "armfuls" of flowers for the house.
🌱 Growing Guide
Sweet Peas are "hungry and thirsty" plants that reward good soil preparation with months of bloom.
How to Sow:
For the strongest plants, sow indoors in October to November and overwinter in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow from January to March. Soak seeds in tepid water for a few hours before sowing 1cm deep in deep pots (root trainers) to accommodate their long taproots.
Where to Plant:
Plant out in April or May once the soil has warmed. They demand full sun and rich, fertile soil—dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Ensure they have a support structure ready to climb immediately.
Ongoing Care:
The golden rule is "Pick, Pick, Pick!" Do not let seed pods form, as this tells the plant to stop flowering. Feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) once the first buds appear to sustain the display until the first frosts.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Lathyrus odoratus 'Old Spice' |
| Common Name | Grandiflora Sweet Pea |
| Plant Type | Hardy Annual |
| Hardiness | H3 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 1.8m (Climber) |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 20-30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | June to September |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 25 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
Sweet Peas can sometimes look bare at the bottom; use these companions to hide their "scruffy legs":
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The Classic Screen. Planting bushy white Cosmos in front of your Sweet Pea wigwam hides the lower stems, while the bright white flowers make the deep violet tones of 'Starry Night' pop.
- 🌙 Nicotiana 'White Trumpets': The Night Scent Duo. Combine these two fragrance champions near a seating area. Both release an intense perfume at dusk, creating a sensory "Scented Sanctuary" in your garden.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in autumn or early spring for a vertical riot of scented colour.
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Unlike garden peas, Sweet Pea seeds are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities. They are grown for their beauty and scent, not for eating. Please keep seeds away from small children and do not mistake pods for edible crops.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Sweet Pea 'Old Spice Starry Night' is an excellent variety for supporting garden biodiversity. Its nectar-rich blooms are a particular favourite for bees, who are attracted by its intense scent and accessible flower structure.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Hardy Annuals →
We want you to love your new plant from the moment it arrives. That’s why we offer a 30-day guarantee — if your plant doesn’t arrive in fresh, healthy condition, we’ll replace it free of charge. Simple as that.
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For added reassurance, we also offer a 12-month guarantee. If your plant’s health noticeably declines after the first 30 days, you can purchase a replacement of the same plant at 50% off.
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