Sweet Pea 'Mr. P'

At a Glance

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Flake
• Color Profile: Dark purple flakes over a crisp white background
• Fragrance: Moderate
• Breeder: Roger Parsons & McDonald
• Year Introduced: Unknown
• Flowering Type: Summer-Flowering

Overview

'Mr. P' is an exciting novelty and a remarkably prolific addition to the summer-flowering Spencer class. Celebrated for producing "tons and tons of flowers," this unique variety features a highly attractive patterned display, showcasing striking dark purple flakes set vividly against a clean white background. Possessing the wonderfully ruffled and waved petal structure that exhibition Spencers are famous for, along with a lovely, classic sweet pea scent, it is an absolute must-have for bringing dramatic contrast to the garden and the vase.

Growth Habit

Exhibiting robust vigor, 'Mr. P' is a tall-climbing vine. Because it grows tall and dense enough to serve as a spectacular floral background in your borders, it requires a sturdy vertical support system—such as tall netting, a trellis, or bamboo teepees—to enthusiastically climb throughout the summer season.

Cultivation Notes

To coax the most spectacular blooms from this prolific vine, plant it in a sunny location with deeply enriched, well-draining soil. Because of its tall climbing habit, the stems should be tied in regularly to ensure the plant remains secure against the wind. Consistent harvesting and the diligent removal of faded blossoms are absolutely essential to prevent the plant from setting seed, ensuring a continuous, uninterrupted flush of flaked flowers all summer long.

Historical Notes

While the exact year of introduction remains unspecified in the botanical archives, 'Mr. P' was raised by the breeders Parsons and McDonald. It has earned a well-deserved reputation among growers as a uniquely patterned, incredibly prolific Spencer variety that delivers an outstanding garden performance.

In the Garden

Grown For: Striking cut flower arrangements, exhibition novelty, and providing a heavily blooming, patterned floral background in summer borders.

Companion Planting

To make its dark purple flakes truly stand out, pair it with a crisp, pure white variety like 'Wild Swan'. Alternatively, planting it alongside a deeply saturated, solid dark variety like 'Almost Black' will create a highly sophisticated display that perfectly echoes its dark purple markings.