Sweet peas, growing and decorative possibilities

Sweet peas are an ornamental plant that belongs to the family of legumes, it has more than 10 thousand varieties, differing in terms of flowering, height, as well as the shape and size of flowers. A wide range of colors, long and intense flowering, delicate aroma, and also great opportunities for use - all this explains its popularity.

Sweet peas, growing in the garden

Sweet peas get well in open sunny areas, protected from the wind, can withstand shading. This plant is cold-resistant, with prolonged drought and heat losing its decorative qualities, but it perfectly tolerates short-term arid periods. Thus, sweet pea is ideal for growing in most regions of Russia. It needs fertile, enriched with humus, deeply treated soil with a neutral or acidic reaction. Excessively moistened soil causes disease of peas, so for planting it is necessary to choose plots without groundwater. Watering plants should be abundant, but not private. Sweet peas, the cultivation of which is accompanied by the introduction of organic fertilizers, blossoms continuously and abundantly.

Sweet peas can be grown in two ways: seeding seeds and seedlings. In the soil seeds are sown in late April, to obtain seedlings - in late March. Peas are pre-soaked in water for a day. To facilitate germination, the dense shell of the seed is slightly deformed. Seedlings are planted in the soil in the second half of May, while the plants are placed at a distance of 20 cm from each other. For tall varieties, special supports are installed. Young shoots pinch over the second or third sheet, which allows to stimulate the laying of lateral shoots. Seedlings, like flowering plants, are fed with universal fertilizers. The flowering period begins after 3 to 3.5 months after emergence.

Many gardeners use for decoration the fragrant peas perennial, the cultivation of which does not require special efforts, except for transplantation once every 4-5 years. These plants bloom abundantly, but do not differ in the variety of colors. Another drawback is the lack of flavor. Therefore, perennial peas often planted annual varieties, which are characterized by bright colors and a pleasant smell.

Decorative possibilities of sweet pea

Sweet peas are widely used in creating decorative compositions. With its help, you can hide an unsightly hedge, make up an original bouquet, decorate the gazebo and fill the site with a refined aroma. Also, sweet pea is an indispensable attribute of gardens, equipped in English style. The possibilities for using these colors are not limited to planting outdoors in the summer, it is perfectly suitable for hothouse growing in winter and spring. Sweet peas, growing of which is carried out in a closed ground, requires additional illumination, since this plant has a long day cycle. In addition, peas - an ideal option for vertical gardening. It will become an excellent decoration of pyramidal compositions, columns, pergolas, and can also be planted along with other flowers on flower beds and mixborders.

This is not all the decorative possibilities that fragrant peas possess. Growing in containers allows you to decorate windows, terraces, gazebos, winter gardens and living rooms. In addition, you can place sweet peas on the balcony, creating a cozy shady corner for rest in a city apartment.