Sweet Pea Clotted Cream

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Spencer
• Petal Pattern: Solid/Self
• Color Profile: Cream
• Fragrance: Lightly Scented (Pale pastel and cream shades naturally possess a fainter, more elusive perfume)
• Breeder: Carters
• Year Introduced: 1965
• Flowering Type: Summer-flowering (initiates blooming with approximately 12 hours of daylight)

Overview

'Clotted Cream' is a classic, solid-colored Spencer sweet pea that offers a beautiful, rich buttery hue. Showcasing the quintessential ruffled and frilled petals expected of the Spencer class, this variety brings a soft, luminous elegance to the garden. Cream-toned sweet peas are highly valued by floral designers and gardeners alike because they act as a neutral harmonizer that blends effortlessly with almost any other flower color.

Growth Habit

As a traditional summer-flowering Spencer, this cultivar is a highly energetic climber. It requires a robust vertical framework—such as a tall trellis, netting, or a teepee structure—to support its vigorous upward growth and to allow the plant to produce the long, straight stems prized for cut flower arrangements.

Cultivation Notes

To maximize plant health and stem length, sow the seeds in deep containers like Rootrainers to encourage strong taproots, then transplant them into deeply trenched, richly prepared soil. When the young vines are a few inches tall, pinch out the central growing tip to stimulate the development of strong side shoots. Maintain a steady watering schedule so the plants do not dry out, and aggressively harvest the blossoms—if the plant is allowed to develop seed pods, it will prematurely stop producing new flowers.

Historical Notes

The original 'Clotted Cream' was developed by the historic seed firm Carters and officially documented in 1965. (Note: Horticultural records show a newer sweet pea with this exact name was bred by K. Brewer and introduced in 2015, but this listing represents the classic 1965 Carters release.)

In the Garden

Grown for: Providing an abundance of exquisite, long-stemmed cream cut flowers, softening bright garden palettes, and acting as a versatile filler in bouquets.

Companion Planting: Because of its adaptable cream shade, it serves as a perfect foil for deeply saturated dark maroons, rich blues, and purples, creating a striking visual contrast. It also harmonizes beautifully with soft pinks, peaches, and lavenders for a romantic, pastel aesthetic.