


Sweet Pea David Tostevin
Sweet Pea 'David Tostevin'
Lathyrus odoratus
A truly distinctive sweet pea, David Tostevin is the first variety to be officially classified as dappled by the National Sweet Pea Society. Its blooms are a smoky, silvery lavender—each one slightly different from the next, with soft mottling that gives the whole plant a sense of depth and movement. Some flowers lean pale and pearlescent; others bloom with a cooler, dusky violet tone.
Upright stems make this variety a strong garden performer, and the scent—light but undeniably sweet—adds to its quiet elegance. Bred by renowned sweet pea breeder Dr. Keith Hammett and named in honour of David Tostevin, founder of Plants of Distinction, this variety brings something truly special to the garden or vase.
Best grown with support in full sun. Harvest regularly to encourage more blooms.
N.B. 'David Tostevin' resulted from a cross made between ‘Earl Grey' and ’Nimbus’. It is not a fully 'fixed' cultivar and therefore may produce blooms that resemble parent cultivars rather than those pictured here.
Details
Plant type: Hardy annual
Height: 6-8 feet
Plant spacing: 6-8”
Site: full sun (or partial afternoon shade in hotter zones)
Soil & Water: fertile and moist, but well-draining
Pinch: when there are 4 pairs of true leaves
Approx David Tostevin Sweet Pea seeds per packet: 10
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Safety: Sweet peas, just like many plants we grow in our gardens, are toxic. Sweet pea seeds and any part of the plant should not be ingested.
Featured product


PREORDER ONLY - ROOTRAINERS SHIP OUT IN MID DECEMBER
These are the same Rootrainers I use here at Sweet Pea Gardens. I rely on them season after season to start my sweet peas seeds — and they’ve outlasted every hobby tray I’ve ever tried.
Each set includes one sturdy tray and eight hinged books that open like a little greenhouse journal, revealing strong roots. The design encourages deep root systems, minimizes shock at transplanting, and lasts for years.
This is a professional-grade Rootrainer system — built to withstand repeated use, with heavier plastic and a sturdier design than typical consumer trays.
Includes:
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1 reusable tray (3.5″ deep)
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8 “books” (4 cells per book = 32 cells total)
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Comes ready assembled
Product Details:
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Tray depth: 3.5″ (approx. 8.9 cm)
- Cell depth: 5"
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Cells per book: 4 × 8 books (32 cells total)
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Material: durable, reusable plastic
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Long-lasting professional quality





