What Is the Meaning of the Sweet Pea Flower?

The sweet pea flower is an annual, which means it blooms for one season only. It is a member of the pea family and boasts fragrant, colorful, butterfly shaped flowers. The sweat pea is a climbing herb with the official name of Lathyrus odoratus. It is native to Italy. The name "sweet pea" comes from "lathyros," which is the Greek term for "pea," and from "odoratus," which is Latin for "fragrant."

Features
The sweat pea can grow up to 8 feet; patio varieties only climb up to 3 feet. The fragrance of a sweet pea can vary greatly, notes The Flower Expert. How the flowers smell depends on time of day, the age of the flower, how much rain it has received and high temperature. The leaves on the sweet pea consist of a terminal tendril and pinnate with two leaflets. Although a member of the pea family, the sweet pea is not edible; sweet pea seeds and flowers are poisonous.

History
The history of the sweet pea maintains that a Sicilian monk named Franciscus Cupani sent the sweet pea seeds to England in the 17th century. The current day sweet pea does not look like the original. A Scottish man named Harry Eckford crossbred the original, which resulted in the ornamental, sweetly scented and colorful plant that exists today, according to Teleflora. Sweet peas are considered the mark of Edwardian England. These flowers were quite popular in the late 1800s.

Nickname
Some gardeners refer to the sweet pea as the "queen of annuals." Sweet peas are treasured because they are long lasting, colorful and fragrant.

Symbolism
The sweet pea stands for blissful pleasure, according to Pinkie D'Cruz of Pinkie's Parlour, including pleasurable departure after having a good time. The sweet pea is the flower for the month of April. Some flower historians believe that the poet Keats was the first to use the name "sweet pea."

Legend
Legend has it that sowing sweet pea seeds before sunrise on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) will result in more fragrant and larger flowers. Another legend is that sweat pea seeds should be sown between March 1 and March 2, which are the Feasts of Saints David and Chad, and March 21, which is the feast of Saint Benedict.

Growing Sweet Peas
Grow sweet peas in full sun in well-drained, rich soil. Ideally, soak the seeds overnight before planting. Do not plant them deeply; 1 inch is enough. The seeds should be planted 3 to 4 inches apart. After the sweet pea has grown, deadhead the flowers on occasion to grow better. Leave a few flowers on the plant at the end of the growing season so the plant will reseed for the next year.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6496921_meaning-sweet-pea-flower_.html

What Is a Sweet Pea Flower?

Sweet peas (Lathryus odoratus) are annual or perennial flowering plants native to the Mediterranean region. They have been grown in the United States for more than 100 years and are available as bushes or vines. They work well in flower gardens, on trellises or as container plants, according to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.

Identification
Sweet pea bushes usually grow between 6 and 36 inches tall depending on the cultivar, while vines grow to approximately 6 feet in length. They have winged stems and compound leaves composed of two oval-shaped medium- or deep green leaflets. The plants produce fragrant clusters of blossoms that range in color from shades of purple to blue, pink, white or mixed colors. They are available in any color except for yellow. Flattened seed pods replace the flowers.

Types
Several different sweet pea varieties and many cultivars are commercially available. Some types such as Winter Elegance and Early Flowering bloom in winter in mild climates as long as they receive at least 10 hours of daylight; they bloom during the spring in colder climates. Antique and Heirloom sweet peas are older cultivars. They can tolerate high temperatures and have a more intense fragrance than modern varieties. Various cultivars are also available in small, medium and large plant sizes.

Caring for Sweet Peas
Sweet pea plants prefer full sunlight or light shade and well-drained, moist, nutrient-rich soils with pH levels between 7.0 and 7.5. They are cool-weather plants and cannot tolerate hot climates. They benefit from a layer of mulch to hold in moisture and keep the soil temperature cool. Sweet peas produce the best flowers if they receive regular applications of a high-phosphorus fertilizer. They do not need added nitrogen, however, since they can obtain nitrogen from the environment. They require regular watering during the growing season.

Considerations
Sweet pea pods are toxic if eaten in large quantities. The seeds produce a condition called lathyrism that is characterized by shallow breathing, a shallow pulse, paralysis and seizures. Powdery mildew infections create powdery white spots of fungus on the leaves, stems and blossoms, while pea enation virus, most common in northwestern states, causes yellowed or mottled leaves. Aphids are small insects that feed on sap from sweet pea leaves. They transmit the virus from one plant to another. Slugs and snails devour the foliage.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8203306_sweet-pea-flower.html