How to Grow Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady'
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Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady'
flowerPainted Lady is a classic heirloom sweet pea variety featuring distinctive bicolor flowers with deep red-purple and white striped petals. This climbing annual vine produces highly fragrant blooms ideal for cutting and has been a garden favorite since Victorian times. It typically grows 4-6 feet tall and produces abundant flowers throughout the growing season.
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Example Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady' blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler seasons
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with two oval cotyledons and first true leaves emerging; vine is delicate and tender.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide support or trellis early. Protect from strong winds. Thin seedlings to proper spacing.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksVigorous vine growth with multiple stems and tendrils developing. Leaves are pinnate and blue-green. Plant reaches 12-18 inches tall.
Tie or guide tendrils onto support structure. Pinch out growing tip at 6 inches to encourage branching. Water regularly and evenly.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear at leaf axils; plant continues climbing and reaching mature height of 4-6 feet.
Continue supporting vine growth. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity.
Flowering
6-10 weeksBicolor flowers with deep red-purple and white striped petals open in clusters. Blooms are highly fragrant and appear continuously.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Cut flowers frequently for arrangements. Provide adequate water and cool temperatures if possible.
Seed Pod
4-6 weeksIf flowers are not deadheaded, plump green seed pods develop containing 4-6 hard seeds.
Allow some pods to mature if seeds are desired for next year. Harvest pods when they turn brown and papery. Store seeds in cool, dry location.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity with frequent misting; use miticide spray if severe; remove heavily infested foliage.
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Hand-pick in early morning; use copper tape around containers; apply diatomaceous earth around base of plants.
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Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur dust or fungicide; remove affected leaves.
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Spray with insecticidal soap; remove affected flowers; use sticky traps for monitoring.
Uses
Edible flowers
CulinarySweet pea flowers are edible and can be used as decorative garnish on salads, desserts, and cocktails. They add a subtle sweet, pea-like flavor and beautiful bicolor appearance to dishes. [source]
Cut flowers and arrangements
CraftPainted Lady is exceptional for fresh flower arrangements and bouquets with its striking bicolor blooms and rich fragrance. The long vase life makes it ideal for floral design and wedding arrangements. [source]
Fragrance
HouseholdThe flowers produce a sweet, distinctive fragrance that perfumes a room or garden space. This traditional heirloom variety was prized by Victorian gardeners specifically for its powerful scent. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeSweet pea flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. The abundant nectar and pollen make it an excellent plant for supporting pollinator populations. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalHistorically, sweet pea has been used in traditional herbalism, though it should be noted that the plant contains lathyrogens and seeds should never be ingested. Historical use was primarily ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting flowers when first blooms open. Cut in early morning when stems are turgid for longest vase life. Use sharp scissors and cut just above a leaf node. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming for 6-10 weeks. Flowers last 5-7 days in a vase with fresh water.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Painted Lady is an heirloom variety that dates back to 1859 and was honored as the birth of the modern sweet pea when it won the first sweet pea trial at the Royal Horticultural Society.
- 🌱 Sweet peas have a specialized tendril system that allows them to climb and wrap around support structures without harming companion plants, making them ideal for trellises.
- 🌱 The fragrance of sweet peas is produced by volatile compounds that are most powerful in early morning hours, which is why cutting them at dawn preserves their scent longest in the vase.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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