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How to Grow Sweet Pea Royal Wedding

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Sweet Pea Royal Wedding

Lathyrus odoratus 'Royal Wedding'

flower

Sweet Pea 'Royal Wedding' is an heirloom flowering vine renowned for its pure white, ruffled blossoms and exceptional fragrance. This vigorous climbing variety produces abundant flowers on long stems ideal for cutting, blooming prolifically from spring through early summer. It's a cool-season annual that adds elegance and scent to cottage gardens, trellises, and cut flower arrangements.

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Example Sweet Pea Royal Wedding timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Sweet Pea Royal Wedding

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Sweet Pea Royal Wedding blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Pea Royal Wedding dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates
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Water: Consistent moisture during growing season; water 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture and cool roots.
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Spacing: 6 inches
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Days to maturity: 60-70 days
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Planting depth: 1 inch

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-8; prefers cool spring and fall conditions

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds sprout within 7-14 days; first true leaves emerge. Seedlings are delicate with curly tendrils starting to develop.

Soak seeds overnight or scarify lightly to improve germination. Keep soil consistently moist. Maintain cool temperatures (55-65°F). Provide bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops into a climbing vine with multiple stems, compound leaves, and prominent tendrils. Growth is rapid and vigorous.

Provide sturdy trellis, fence, or netting for climbing. Pinch out the growing tip when plants reach 6 inches to encourage branching. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Mulch around base to cool soil.

3

Flowering

8-12 weeks

Pure white ruffled flowers appear in clusters on long stems. Blooms are fragrant and attractive to pollinators. Continuous flowering occurs with proper care.

Begin regular harvesting to encourage more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers promptly. Increase potassium-rich fertilizer (lower nitrogen). Ensure consistent watering and cool temperatures. Cut flowers in early morning for longest vase life.

4

Seed Pod Formation

4-6 weeks

If flowers are not harvested, pea pods develop, enlarge, and mature. Pods turn brown and papery when ready.

Allow some flowers to remain on plant if saving seeds. Do not deadhead seed flowers. Stop harvesting from these plants. Allow pods to dry completely on vine before collecting.

5

Decline & End of Season

Variable; typically by mid-summer

Flowering diminishes as temperatures warm. Plant vigor decreases and foliage may yellow. Annual cycle concludes.

In cool climates, may extend bloom with shade and consistent water. Remove plants when productivity ends. Compost healthy material; discard any diseased plants. Collect and store seeds in cool, dry location.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Cornflower Snapdragon Larkspur Delphiniums Violas Hellebores

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kochia Onions Garlic Gladiolus

Common Pests

  • Spray with water jet to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps

  • Increase humidity by misting; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested foliage

  • Remove affected flowers; spray with blue sticky traps; use spinosad or insecticidal soap

  • and

    Hand-pick early morning or evening; create barriers with copper tape; use beer traps or diatomaceous earth

  • Plant early to avoid peak weevil activity; harvest pods before they split; store seeds with diatomaceous earth

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate; reduce nitrogen fertilization

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

Sweet Pea flowers are fully edible and make delicate, fragrant garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. Their mild, slightly sweet flavor and beautiful white color add sophisticated visual appeal to fine dining presentations. [source]

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Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

Sweet Pea Royal Wedding is prized by florists and home arrangers for its exceptional fragrance, pure white ruffled blooms, and long stems. A single vase of these flowers perfumes an entire room with their delicate, intoxicating scent. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Historically, sweet pea has been used in folk medicine preparations, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Some traditional uses include preparations for nervous tension and emotional support. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Sweet Pea flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. The abundant nectar and pollen provide essential food sources during spring and early summer. [source]

🎨

Pressed Flowers & Crafts

Craft

The delicate white flowers are ideal for pressing between pages or using in botanical art, wedding crafts, stationery, and scrapbooking projects. Their shape and color retain elegance when dried. [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 cutting flowers once the first blooms open—usually 60-70 days after sowing. Cut in early morning when stems are turgid and flowers are fully open. Cut 4-6 inch stem lengths with 3-4 flower clusters. Remove flowers individually or cut entire stem just above a leaf node. Regular cutting prolongs blooming period by preventing seed set. For arrangements, recut stems under water and immediately place in cool water. Sweet Peas last 7-10 days in a vase with fresh water changes every 2-3 days.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Sweet Pea 'Royal Wedding' was bred to commemorate the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, featuring pristine white blooms symbolizing purity and elegance.
  • 🌱 Sweet peas release their intoxicating fragrance as a pollinator attractant, with volatile organic compounds that are more pronounced in cooler morning temperatures.
  • 🌱 Despite their name 'pea,' sweet peas are toxic if ingested in quantity due to the presence of lathyrogens, though the edible flowers are safe in small culinary amounts.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Compost Deadhead Full Sun Germination Heirloom Mulch Trellis True Leaves
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