Midnight – Sweet Pea Seed

Chocolate to maroon blooms on long stems.
From the Spencer series. Dark, dramatic flower color. Plants produce 3–4 blooms per 9–12" stem. Very lightly fragrant. NOTE: Spencer sweet peas are known as late-flowering because they require at least 12 hours of daylight, unlike more modern sweet pea varieties bred for winter production, which may require only 10–11 hours of daylight.

• Attracts hummingbirds.

Ht. 72–96". 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