Lathyrus Species, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Perennial Sweet Pea

On Sep 24, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

This species has no fragrance. It is not the famously fragrant sweet pea, which is L. odoratus. It is hardy to Z3. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFind...

It is pretty, tough, and long-blooming in full sun---blooming drops off quickly with shade. Flower color ranges from pure white through shades of pink to magenta/fuchsia.

The roots are ropy and deep, and digging revealed no fibrous roots at a depth to which I could dig. I have failed in transplanting it. Perhaps that's just as well.

It doesn't spread underground, but it can self-sow, aggressively in some climates. It is a long-lived her... read morebaceous perennial, dying to the ground in the fall, and it climbs by means of tendrils at the ends of the leaves. It's no small plant, and I'd space it at least 18-24" apart, if I weren't afraid to let it in the garden.

It is naturalized in 46 states and 4 provinces. It is often considered a weed, but nowhere has it been declared ecologically invasive of wild areas. I mostly see it on highway verges where it's been planted and spread.

On Apr 20, 2012, marasri from Dripping Springs, TX wrote:

It has staid alive through the big drought of 2011 but did not perform. It is alive , Matter of fact, very alive this year. I never watered it and it was REALLY dry, but shady. It still has not bloomed. It was sent to me on a trade. After reading this, I guess I will be pulling it. I am glad it did not bloom, but I am a bit interested. I need another invasive like I need a hole in my head. How about that for a mixed message.

On Sep 29, 2008, Calaveras from Kittanning, PA wrote:

HELP ME KILL THIS PLANT! I desperately need your advice. It has taken over a full acre of woodland in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and is spreading at perhaps 1000 square feet per year. This is at 2800' elevation, with no rain between April and November, on a slope with a low water table, daily temperatures regularly reaching 100F, and full to partial sun. In a few years it will consume the entire property. Burning is risky in this habitat in the season when the plants are exposed. Is there an herbicide that would be effective? It's way past trowel work. Please reply before an air tanker is required. Thanks!

On May 22, 2008, girlndocs from Tacoma, WA wrote:

This sweet pea grows in the neighborhood and established itself in a crack in the sidewalk by our front porch.

I let it grow -- even mowing around it when I cut the grass. I don't think I've ever deadheaded it and I only collected seeds once when they happened to be ripe as I walked by. Nevertheless it's only made about 5 "babies" in 7 years. Each year it would grow to cover about 4' square feet in a loose tumbling mass before frost nipped it back.

The only places I've seen it really take over are abandoned spots in alleys and so forth.

It sure is tough, though. This year a lawn service both mowed and power-edged right where it was springing up and I thought it was the end, but two weeks later it was back. Now I've moved it to a wire fence in t... read morehe back of my garden that hides my compost piles.

On Jul 31, 2006, dpmichael from Rethymno, Crete,
Greece (Zone 10b) wrote:

for a vine that needs not to be aromatic and will develop quickly without much assistance, it has beautiful curves of leaf form and tentacles and produces colourful flower clusters for a long time. If a plant is successful, it is quite common to find it aggressive as well, the two qualities go hand-in-hand. So, if you manage to contain it or control it, it will serve you very well.

On Jun 25, 2005, Kameha from Kissimmee, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

We grow it here in Florida during late fall and winter when temperatures are cooler.

On Sep 12, 2004, cinemike from CREZIERES,
France (Zone 8a) wrote:

Nice to have climbing sweet-pea-like flowers on a regular basis, but there are probably better choices in most situations for this level of floriferousness.

On Oct 6, 2003, debi_z from Springfield, MA (Zone 6a) wrote:

I planted two of these, from 3" pots, three seasons ago (in 2000.) I have gotten very few - if any - flowers on the plants; they only grow up so far and then stop, never getting to the top of a five-foot trellis.

The white vine didn't show up well at all again a white trellis and the pink vine bloomed for the first time this year, but not until October 3rd. I'm getting rid of mine and hopefully the next gardener will have better luck than I.

On May 28, 2003, trickyricky wrote:

I have a ton of everlasting pea seeds and really love the flowers, ands would like to start some in potting soil or loam.

On Aug 18, 2002, Karenn from Mount Prospect, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:

This plant does not need moist soil to be invasive! I planted the vining form 5 years ago to climb an arbor as a "temporary" solution while I decided what permament vine I wanted. I have been pulling "babies" ever since!

On Aug 5, 2001, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote:

A long flowering delicate looking vine with blue-green sword shaped leaves and many clusters of 1 inch pea flowers along the stems that are showy but unscented. They bloom from summer until frost.Dies back to rootstock in the winter.
Good cut flower; rambling, climbing vines can be used to cover unsightly spots. Roots are long lived and tenacious. Self sows prolificly, invasive.

Prefers rich, well drained soil.