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| NEW WINTER-FLOWERING SWEET PEA VARIETY CALLED ‘WINTER SUNSHINE” SPECIALLY BRED FOR LOW-LIGHT CONDITIONS FOUND IN NORTHERN GREENHOUSES. |
I discovered these terrific, new, winter-flowering sweet pea selections on a commericial exhibition sweet pea grower site from the UK! English exhibition sweet peas could always be grown for winter bloom, but this selection promises to be more floriferous for those of us who dream of picking fragrant sweet peas in the middle of winter.
The especially bred for growing under glass in low-light winter conditions, and I just can’t wait! They come from OWL’S ACRE SWEET PEAS, a specialist commercial grower of cut flower sweet pea seed located in England, and can be ordered right now for planting outdoors or for under glass.
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| A TURN OF THE CENTURY GREENHOUSE CROP OF WINTER-BLOOMIN SWEET PEAS, AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR CUT FLOWER IN 1900. |
In California you can grow sweet peas outdoors, but it is safe to say that this selection is worth trying wherever Camellia’s survive and bloom outdoors ( zone 9/10 plus?) or, for those of us who are northern grower fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or a pit house ( un-heated greenhouse that never freezes).
Even if I did not have a greenhouse, I would encourage trying these under lights, or even in a cool, bright bay window or a greenhouse window if you have one. I know plenty of lofts where there are perfectly chilly, drafty cold windows, that are bright, sunny and perfect for sweet peas. Just keep the radiator turned down.
This past Sunday, I planted my seed, all carefully selected to fall in a color range of purple, blue and violets, but today, I fear that mice ate most of the seed ( arrrrrgh!). I am holding out that a few seeds made it, since I really don’t want to order more. Fingers crossed with visions of cut flower sweet peas next February!
Do you think these would grow well outside in the Deep South. This sounds wonderful to start in my container garden (maybe with a crop cover on really cold days/nights?)?
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Very exciting news. My fall crop of sweet peas, sown with seed from last year, hasn't materialized so I might just give these a try.
Interesting. I planted my 'Cupani' & 'Lord Nelson' a few weeks ago for early spring, but I'm really curious about their Cherub series. I'd love some sweet pea spill action in containers next summer. It's cold enough here in SF to work.