Lathyrus Species, Everlasting Sweet Pea, Spring Pea, Spring Vetchling, Spring Vetch
Lathyrus vernus
Family: | Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Lathyrus (LAY-thy-russ) (Info) |
Species: | vernus (VER-nus) (Info) |
Synonym: | Orobus vernus |

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Lavender
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting:
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Baywood-Los Osos, California
Wilmington, Delaware
Waukegan, Illinois
Winnetka, Illinois
Davenport, Iowa
Lakeville, Massachusetts
Cedarville, Michigan
Eveleth, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Sparks, Nevada
Suffern, New York
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Georgetown, Texas
Fishersville, Virginia
Bellevue, Washington
Olympia, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Jan 14, 2018, Soylent from Denver, CO wrote: I noticed this plant growing in an old, neglected container in my neighborhood. Even in Denver, with less than 20" of rain a year (and much of that coming early in the season), this vine manages to produce flowers without any care. |
Positive | On May 21, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: A beautiful, tough, easy, adaptable plant with showy spring flowers. This should be far more often grown than it is. |
Positive | On May 21, 2015, wetdogfarm from Eveleth, MN (Zone 3a) wrote: I acquired a plant of L.v. alboroseus from Arrowhead Alpines. It has survived two winters here, I am zone 3b. One winter was deep snow, the other was not. So far so good. It is in part shade in a spot where the snow melts late. |
Positive | On Mar 29, 2011, Shartin from Sharon, CT wrote: I am growing the spring vetchling from seed - I only have 5 and I'm trying to figure out if I should sow outdoors now April 1, in my NW CT garden, or start it from seed indoors. |
Positive | On Aug 9, 2008, plantaholic186 from Winnetka, IL wrote: I must say, I must have the best L. vernus plants on the earth. They self seed and bloom in the second year. I have divided and transplanted them in the heat of August, and they don't even flag or drop leaves. My soil is predominantly clay, which means the top 5" or so dries up quickly, while below that the water might not drain for several days, and still the Lathyrus thrives! Next year I'll collect seeds and offer them here, since these plants are difficult to find in these parts. |
Neutral | On Jul 29, 2008, emilybee from Los Osos, CA wrote: A couple years back I planted what I thought were annual sweet peas but they have never died so I assume they're perennial. They have also never bloomed. Maybe perennial sweet peas take some time to get established before blooming. I have them in containers which hasn't hindered their growth but that could be why they haven't bloomed. |
Positive | On May 14, 2008, altagardener from Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) wrote: Lovely early spring bloomer, and hardy here in zone 3 (Calgary, Alberta, Canada). |
Neutral | On Apr 24, 2008, ntelya from Lakeville, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Have attempted to grow twice - unsuccessfully. Didn't make it though the winters both times. Although it is frequently sold in this zone (4), not regularly hardy here. |
Positive | On Mar 25, 2006, SW_gardener from (Zone 6a) wrote: I bought this last summer and it was only a few leaves. A few of the leaves dired up due to dry soil, but it's sprouting up now and from what I can tell from the tiny shoots.....it's coming back well. I look forward to seeing it bloom! |
Positive | On Mar 24, 2005, nevadagdn from Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote: This little plant is a charmer. |
Positive | On Dec 9, 2004, Todd_Boland from St. John's, NL (Zone 5b) wrote: What a great plant in mid-late spring. This little pea forms a bush to about 12-15" and is smothered in pink flowers. It does have a tendency to self-seed, so I promtly dead-head after the blooms have faded. It sprouts as soon as the snow melts but seems to be able to cope with spring frosts. I grow it in the rock garden, but in the wild, it often grows in lightly shaded woodlands, so could be used in such a location. Easy from seed but resents transplanting once established. |