Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
- Classification: Spencer
- Petal Pattern: Picotee
- Color Profile: Cream background distinctly bordered by a pink edge
- Breeder: Tremewan
- Year Introduced: 1993
- Flowering Type: Summer-flowering
Overview
'Mollie Rilstone' is a highly popular, classic sweet pea celebrated for its soft and romantic coloration. It serves as a textbook example of the "picotee" marking, showcasing a pale cream base that is beautifully outlined by a delicate, contrasting pink margin along the petals.
Growth Habit
As a traditional Summer-flowering Spencer, this variety is a tall, vigorous climber. It produces the large, heavily ruffled blossoms and long stems characteristic of the Spencer class, requiring a sturdy vertical support system to accommodate its height.
Cultivation Notes
Because it is a Summer-flowering Spencer, it is crucial to establish the root system in deep, cool soil before the warm weather arrives. Pinch out the central growing tip when the seedling is a few inches tall to encourage robust side branching from the base. To maximize stem length and bloom quality, ensure the vines receive consistent, deep watering to prevent the plant tissue from hardening, and harvest the flowers relentlessly to keep the plant from setting seed.
Historical Notes
This variety was bred by Tremewan and officially introduced to the horticultural market in 1993, following its first documentation in the National Sweet Pea Society's Annual in 1992.
In the Garden
Grown for: Producing premium, florist-quality cut flowers, exhibition displays, and adding a touch of pastel elegance to garden borders.
Companion Planting: The subtle pink and cream tones make it an incredibly versatile flower for arranging. It contrasts beautifully when planted alongside very dark maroon or deep blue sweet peas, and harmonizes perfectly with other soft-hued annuals and textural foliage in a vase.
