Sweet Pea 'Claire MItchell'

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Bicolor / Shifter
• Color Profile: Pink and mauve bicolor shifter
• Fragrance: Moderately Scented
• Breeder: Phil Johnson
• Year Introduced: 2025
• Flowering Type: Summer

Overview

'Claire Mitchell' is a contemporary, summer-flowering Spencer sweet pea that presents a highly dynamic visual display. As a member of the innovative "shifter" category, its blossoms naturally transform from one shade to another as they mature. Specifically, it boasts a stunning pink and mauve bicolour effect. Its modern Spencer classification means it yields the large, gracefully waved petals and long stems that are highly valued for vase arrangements.

Growth Habit

Like all tall Spencer types, it grows as a robust and vigorous climbing vine. It requires a sturdy vertical support system—such as netting, a trellis, or a dedicated cordon structure—to successfully climb and support its long-stemmed flowers.

Cultivation Notes

As a summer-flowering sweet pea, 'Claire Mitchell' is a "long-day" plant relying on extended daylight hours of the peak season to initiate its blooming cycle. It thrives in deeply prepared, nutrient-rich soil. Consistent harvesting and prompt deadheading of spent blooms are critical; if seed pods are allowed to form, the vine will divert its energy away from flowering and cease producing new buds.

Historical Notes

Bred by contemporary sweet pea expert Phil Johnson, 'Claire Mitchell' was officially introduced and added to the classification list in 2025. It serves as an excellent example of modern breeding efforts focused on bringing fascinating color-shifting traits to the Spencer class.

In the Garden

Grown for: Dynamic, color-shifting cut flowers, adding a unique transforming pink and mauve element to summer garden displays, and providing beautifully ruffled Spencer blooms for arrangements.

Companion Planting: Pair this transforming pink and mauve shifter with solid, stable cool tones like a deep, dark blue or a crisp, pure white (such as 'White Frills') to accentuate its unique color-changing properties without creating visual competition in the vase.