Pink Nines Sweet Pea

At a Glance

Sweet Pea ‘Pink Nines’

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Multiflora / Early Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Solid / Self-color
• Color Profile: Mid-pink
• Fragrance: Soft and airy with distinct hints of jasmine
• Breeder: Dr. Keith Hammett
• Year Introduced: 2010
• Flowering Type: Early-flowering

Overview

Released in 2010 by the world-renowned New Zealand breeder Keith Hammett, this mid-pink cultivar is widely considered one of the most highly desired sweet peas on the market today. It is beloved not only for its clear, romantic coloration but also for its highly unique perfume, which offers a delicate, billowing fragrance characterized by notes of jasmine.

Growth Habit

Classified as a multiflora type, this energetic climbing vine is famous for pushing the boundaries of sweet pea productivity. It is appropriately named for its ability to produce remarkably extended stems that can each support up to nine individual blossoms. Because of this exceptional stem length and high bud count, it is an absolute powerhouse for commercial cutting and floral design.

Cultivation Notes

To ensure the healthiest and deepest root development, always start your seeds in tall, narrow pots rather than shallow seed trays. Once your young vines reach a few inches tall and show a few pairs of true leaves, it is highly recommended to pinch off the central growing tip. This simple pruning method forces the plant to send out strong lateral branches from the base, giving you a much sturdier and more prolific vine.

Because planting times depend heavily on your specific environment, be sure to use our Custom Zip-Code Planting Tool to find the exact week you should sow your seeds.

Historical Notes

Emerging from Dr. Keith Hammett's innovative breeding program in 2010, 'Pink Nines' represents a modern triumph in sweet pea genetics. While traditional Spencer varieties typically yield three to five flowers per stem, Hammett specifically developed this multiflora cultivar to maximize both the stem length and the sheer volume of blooms produced on a single stalk, creating a highly specialized flower for the floristry industry.

In the Garden

‘Pink Nines’ is most frequently grown for:

• supplying exceptionally long, multi-bloom stems for commercial floristry
• creating romantic, high-volume bridal bouquets and large-scale arrangements
• introducing a sophisticated, jasmine-like aroma to the garden

Companion Planting Notes

The warm, clear pink tones of this cultivar look magnificent when blended with ethereal, lacy fillers like annual baby's breath (Gypsophila elegans) or bishop's lace (Daucus carota). For a highly dramatic floral arrangement, pair these bright pink blooms with deep, moody maroon sweet peas (such as Hammett's own ‘Almost Black’ or ‘Midnight’) to create a striking visual contrast.