How to grow the best Sweet Peas

The simple steps to scented heaven

It took me a few goes to grow the sweet peas I dreamed of. Long tendrils of curly stems with pretty budded flowers opening with the most heady scent. Sweet Peas are the most evocative cut flower. Without exception, a bunch demands a deep inhale.

Once cut from the stem, sweet peas don’t usually last long in the vase, and they certainly don’t travel well. One of those cut flowers you really need to grow yourself to make sure you get the best of them on your bedside table, or gifted from a generous neighbour.

I didn’t grow them for a few years, thinking that they were too much effort and the flowers didn’t last long enough to hold their place on a flower farm. But I’ve developed a tried a tested method, learnt how to cut them and now won’t be without.

Here is my process for germinating, growing and cutting them for maximum pleasure. *EDIT* and by popular request, suppliers, fav varieties and winter flowering bonus!