Lathyrus odorata Ballerina Blue

Hardy Annual
T&M Exclusive

• Flowers in : Summer
• Ideal for : Borders, Cut Flowers, Trellis
• Height : 6 feet

Description

Bred by a T&M customer and a proven winner. This vigorous climber produces large, highly-scented flowers, with four superior blooms per 30-35cm (12-14in) long stem. Winner of an AGM Award of Merit for exhibition and the Harris Trophy for best sweet pea on trial in 2003.

Lathyrus odorata Ballerina Blue is an outstanding variety for exhibition as well as for the garden, where it will quickly cover trellis, obelisks or cane wigwams.

 Customer Rating

Reviews
A good one
By John Montgomery 30-07-2011
Germinated well from an autumn sowing and stood the winter outside in pots with only cloches for protection. Planted out in late March and grew away well in the warm dry spring. First flowers in early May and still blooming prollifically as we enter August.

Lovely Cut Flower
By Ellen Kunec 29-06-2011
Unlike the previous reviewer, I found germination was good and one pack of seeds has given me a full wigwam of plants. Flowers are on very long stems, great for the vase. A lovely lavender blue colour and light but traditional scent. I bought these on impulse then had second thoughts - maybe I should have bought a multicolour variety? But they are very soothing to look at in the garden and in the house. Beautiful.

Failed to reach expectations
By Amanda Dawson 19-06-2011
Slow to germinate, grew very slowly and didn't climb very far. Disappointing results. Will go back to a standard variety next time.

Sowing Instructions

Sow October to January indoors, or March to April outdoors. Soak seeds overnight in warm water before sowing 1cm (½in) deep, 3 seeds per 7.5cm (3in) pot, in free-draining, damp, seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag and place at 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination which takes 7-21 days. Do not exclude light. Spring sowings can be sown outdoors, 2.5cm (1in) deep, in drills 7.5cm (3in) apart.

Growing Instructions

Overwinter October sown plants in cooler conditions such as a coldframe before planting out in spring, when the ground has warmed, 23-30cm (9-12in) apart. Pinch out growing point once the second pair of leaves has opened.

Aftercare

Water freely in dry weather. Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.

Caution

Harmful if eaten.