At long last I have enough sweet peas for a decent sized Monday vase and that in itself is a cause for celebration. I can't describe how much joy picking a vase of sweet peas for the house brings me. It's not just the vibrant colours but the pleasure of the scent that makes me smile. It seemed that it would never happen. My sweet peas were sown in the greenhouse in the middle of March and once planted in the garden made painfully slow progress as our late spring/early summer was so cool and dull. They did have plenty of rain though. As usual I selected seeds from a number of varieties rather than opt for a mixed packet of seeds. This year's varieties included :
- Stalwarts 'Erewhon', 'Eclipse' and 'Gwendoline'.
- On their way to becoming regulars 'Piggy Sue' and 'Black Knight'.
- 'Indigo King' which I've grown for the last couple' of years instead of 'Matucana'
- New to me 'Chocolate Flake' (streaked flower) and 'Kings Ransom' which is initially a salmon pink but changes colour with age. 'Chocolate Flake' is definitely off the menu for next year but I have fallen for 'Kings Ransom'.
I'm already tweaking plans for next year's sweet pea magic in my head. As always a special thanks to Cathy who blogs over at 'Rambling In The Garden' and who enables us to get together every Monday to share our vases.
P.S. I'm hoping to return to more regular posting and commenting soon when I've finished my Wordpress adventure.
Oh I adore this vase and those sweet peas. I wish I had room for more. I adore the scent and how these just keep going. You made my day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment Donna 😀
DeleteI am so pleased you have finally been able to pick a sizeable bunch of sweet peas, Anna, as I know how much pleasure they will bring you - where in the house do you have them? I also have a large bunch here, albeit with very short stems, as I stripped the plants yesterday in an effort to stop them going to seed - it does look as if they will make it into August, which I don't think they usually do. What do yours grow up. Anna? I have you to thank for Gwendoline, which has been one of my must-haves for a few years now
ReplyDeleteMy very favourite annual flowers Cathy 😍 I usually locate vases on the kitchen windowsill, occasionally in the hall and also the dining room table if we have guests. I grow mine up a bamboo cane wigwam but am thinking of a change next year. Gwendoline is always so reliable!
DeleteA beautiful collection, Anna. Nothing is sweeter than a handful of sweet peas to bring inside to pleasure the senses! Eliza
ReplyDeleteThank you Eliza. I agree with you whole heartedly 😀
DeleteCongratulations on completing your "Wordpress adventure," Anna! You'll have to elaborate in another post ;) I so love seeing your sweet peas when mine are but a distant memory...
ReplyDeleteIt's still a work in progress Kris but I will elaborate in due course 😀 I enjoyed your sweet peas before mine materialised.
DeleteHow lovely Anna! So glad they have finally flowered. What a gorgeous mix of colours. I really like that salmony pink one. I have been wondering how you are doing with the wordpress thing… hope you will update us soon. In the meantime, stay cool. My parents (Northants) said they are expecting over 30°C today!
ReplyDeleteThe salmony pink 'King's Ransom' could well become a favourite with me Cathy. I will certainly update on my Wordpress adventure at some point. It was warm here but not as warm as what your parents were expecting. It's due to be even hotter in the south this coming weekend!
DeleteGorgeous! It's so satisfying to enjoy a vase of highly anticipated flowers. I have never lived anywhere conducive to growing sweet peas and did not know they were available in blue! So pretty. Amelia
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Amelia. They're gorgeous flowers - probably more purple on the colour spectrum than blue 😀
DeleteOh, I can smell them from here. Mine are sulking with very short stems as it has been so hot and dry in B.C. My Granny always had the best Sweet Peas in the U.K. and put Asparagus fern with them. A glorious bunch like that always reminds me of her. Thank You!
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/07/29/in-a-vase-july-29th/