Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
- Classification: Spencer
- Petal Pattern: Stripe / Flake
- Color Profile: Deep lavender (or mauve) stripes on a pale/white ground
- Fragrance: Moderately Scented
- Breeder: G. King (Introduced by Parsons)
- Year Introduced: 2016
- Flowering Type: Summer
Overview
'Lady Nicholson' is a striking, contemporary summer-flowering Spencer sweet pea that belongs to the beautiful "fancy" class of striped varieties. It features an eye-catching pattern of deep lavender or mauve stripes radiating over a pale, crisp white ground. It is an excellent choice for growers looking to add a speckled, patterned element to their garden and floral designs.
Growth Habit
Like most traditional Spencers, this variety is a vigorous, tall-climbing vine that requires sturdy vertical support to thrive. It produces large, ruffled blooms characteristic of the Spencer classification, held on stems that are excellent for cutting.
Cultivation Notes
Because 'Lady Nicholson' is a standard summer-flowering variety, it is a "long-day" plant that requires at least 12 hours of daylight to successfully initiate its blooming cycle. It should be timed to bloom during the peak of summer rather than forced for early spring cuts. To maximize its potential, provide it with rich, deeply prepared soil. Like all Spencers, it will require regular harvesting and deadheading to prevent it from setting seed pods, which would otherwise halt its flower production.
Historical Notes
This modern variety was bred by G. King and officially introduced to the commercial market by the seed firm Parsons in 2016. It was also documented in the sweet pea Annual in 2015. It stands as a beautiful contemporary example of the classic "striped" or "flaked" petal pattern that has been highly sought after by sweet pea enthusiasts for over a century.
In the Garden
Grown for: Eye-catching striped summer cut flowers, adding patterned interest to the garden trellis, and providing a dynamic, speckled element in floral arrangements.
Companion Planting: Pair this striking striped sweet pea with pure whites like 'Wild Swan' to emphasize its crisp pale ground, or plant it alongside solid lavenders (like 'Naomi Nazareth') and deep violet-blues (like 'Just Jenny') to bring out its rich mauve stripes.
