June’s Flower of the Month - Sweet Peas
Sweet Peas
Who doesn’t love Sweet Peas? One of life’s little luxuries. This delicate flower is a gardener’s delight, as the more you pick the flowers from the garden the more they’ll keep coming.
Available from good florists during May, June and July many of today’s cut Sweet Peas are imported from Holland, however with a revival of the British-grown flower market we’re starting to see more British Sweet Peas. You can also buy locally -grown Sweet Peas at many of today’s local farmers’ markets.
The Sweet pea comes is a large spectrum of colours from deepest purples, rich reds, all shades of pink and lilac through to pure white. This five-petalled delicate bloom also has the added bonus of carrying a gorgeous sweet perfume.
The vase life of the Sweet Pea is around 5 - 6 days though they can be sensitive to weather conditions. Hot summer days and damp drizzly weather are the enemy of the Sweet Pea and the petals will wilt quicker under these conditions. Wherever possible display Sweet Peas in a cool and airy room to give them their best chance.
The Sweet Pea has become very popular for Summer weddings. However it’s a volatile crop so it may be prudent to choose an alternative if the season is particularly poor or the weather is very wet, nonetheless an array of Sweet Peas can typify a country wedding. Mixed with other seasonal flowers and foliage such as Alchemilla Mollis, Peonies and delicate Roses , Sweet Peas will give a relaxed and informal style to any wedding.
Sarah Raven gathering sweet peas