Elegance Watermelon – Sweet Pea Seed

Early and prolific.
Compared to Elegance Salmon Rose, Elegance Watermelon’s blooms are a shade darker. Elegance series is the first and most abundant to bloom in our trials. Developed for flowering under short days, low light conditions, and in cool greenhouses. Suitable for spring or midwinter production. Long stems bear 3-5 blooms. Formerly called Winter Elegance. Can be spelled either as sweet pea or sweetpea.

• Attracts hummingbirds.

Ht. 60-72". Avg. 300 seeds/oz. Packet: 50 seeds.

DAYS TO GERMINATION: 14-21 days at 55-65°F (13-18°C). Presoak seed for 24 hours in room temperature water prior to planting to aid germination.

SOWING: Direct seed (recommended) — Sow 4-5 weeks before the last frost, 2-3 seeds 6" apart, 1/4- 1/2" deep. Darkness is required for germination. Thin to 6" apart when true leaves appear. Transplant — Sow 4-6 weeks before planting out. Sow into cell packs, 2 seeds directly into each cell or 3-4" container, 1/4- 1/2" deep. Keep soil surface moist until emergence. Thin to one plant when the true leaves appear. Transplant outside as soon as the soil can be worked. Seedlings won’t be damaged by a late frost.

GROWING ON: Mulch to keep the roots cool. Pinch when 6-8" tall to encourage denser branching and more flowers. Cutting flowers increases bloom.

LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Rich, deep, loamy, moist, well-drained soil.

PLANT HEIGHT: Varies. Trellising is needed.

PLANT SPACING: 6".

HARDINESS ZONES: Annual.

HARVEST: Harvest when half the flowers on a stem are open.

STEM LENGTH: 6-16".

VASE LIFE: 4-6 days. Sweet Peas do not store well, but if necessary store at a temperature of 36-39°F (2-4°C), providing at least 12 hours of light per day.

USES: Cut flower, back of borders, fences, trellises, arbors, and cottage gardens.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lathyrus odoratus