Sweet Pea 'Clementine Kiss'

At a Glance

Sweet Pea ‘Clementine Kiss’

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Solid / Self-color
• Color Profile: Vibrant orange
• Fragrance: Mild to moderate
• Breeder: Matthewman
• Year Introduced: 2012
• Flowering Type: Summer-flowering (Long-day)

Overview

Introduced to the floral trade by the breeder Matthewman in 2012, 'Clementine Kiss' is a brightly colored cultivar that delivers a solid, vibrant punch of orange. As a self-colored variety within the ruffled Spencer class, it is a magnificent option for growers and floral designers who want to incorporate rich, warm citrus tones into their garden displays or cut arrangements.

Growth Habit

Operating as a true Spencer type, this highly energetic vine requires sturdy vertical trellising to support its tall, vigorous climbing habit. It is highly valued for generating the strong stems necessary for premium cut flower production. Because it falls into the summer-blooming category, it relies heavily on the prolonged daylight hours of the season—typically requiring twelve hours or more of direct light—to successfully initiate its heavy flowering phase.

Cultivation Notes

To guarantee the deepest and healthiest root development, always initiate your seeds in tall, narrow cells or rootrainers rather than shallow flats. When the young vines reach approximately four to eight inches in height, carefully snip off the main growing tip. This critical pruning step forces the plant to send out robust lateral branches from its base, ultimately giving you a much sturdier and higher-yielding plant.

Because ideal planting windows vary drastically based on your local climate, be sure to use our Custom Zip-Code Planting Tool to identify the optimal sowing week for your specific region. (Note: Sweet pea seeds are toxic if ingested, so always exercise caution when planting around children and pets).

Historical Notes

Documented in the 2011 National Sweet Pea Society annual, 'Clementine Kiss' was officially released to the horticultural market by Matthewman in 2012. It stands as a reliable, contemporary representative of the solid orange Spencer types, showcasing the dedication of modern breeders to continually expand the sweet pea's warm color palette.

In the Garden

‘Clementine Kiss’ is frequently grown for:

• Providing bold, solid orange blooms for striking floral arrangements
• Supplying a reliable harvest of long-stemmed cuts for the vase
• Adding a rich, warm pop of color to garden fences and trellises

Companion Planting Notes

The deep, intense orange shades of this cultivar provide a spectacular visual contrast when placed directly alongside deep blues or rich purples. In mixed seasonal bouquets, these bold orange blooms look incredibly striking when styled alongside ethereal, airy fillers like the flat, lace-like heads of false Queen Anne's lace (Ammi majus) or bells of Ireland.