Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
- Classification: Spencer
- Petal Pattern: Bicolour
- Color Profile: Navy blue and violet
- Fragrance: Moderately Scented
- Breeder: Dr. Keith Hammett (Introduced by Thompson & Morgan)
- Year Introduced: 1987
- Flowering Type: Summer
Overview
'North Shore' is a striking summer-flowering Spencer sweet pea that features a rich, moody bicolour pattern of navy blue and violet. As a standard summer-flowering type, it is a "long-day" variety that requires at least 12 hours of daylight to successfully initiate its blooming cycle. It stands as a beautiful example of Dr. Keith Hammett's work with deep, jewel-toned genetics.
Growth Habit
Like most traditional Spencers, this variety is a tall, vigorous climbing vine that requires sturdy vertical support to thrive. It produces the large, ruffled blooms characteristic of the Spencer classification, held on long stems that are excellent for cutting.
Cultivation Notes
Because 'North Shore' relies on the longer days of summer to trigger its flowering cycle (12 or more hours of daylight), it should be timed to bloom during the peak of summer rather than forced for early spring cuts. To maximize its potential for long stems, 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 halt flower production.
Historical Notes
'North Shore' was bred by the renowned New Zealand sweet pea expert Dr. Keith Hammett and was first documented in the 1984 Annual. It was later officially introduced to the commercial market by the famous British seed firm Thompson & Morgan (T&M) in 1987.
In the Garden
Grown for: Rich, jewel-toned summer cut flowers, adding dramatic dark blue and violet hues to the garden trellis, and providing a deep color contrast in floral arrangements.
Companion Planting: Pair this deep navy and violet sweet pea with crisp, pure whites like 'Wild Swan' or 'White Frills' to make the dark colors pop, or blend it with other Hammett bicolours (like 'Erewhon') for a moody, contemporary floral display.
