Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl' – An elegant perennial sweet pea with radiant white flowers

Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl', better known in the Netherlands as the perennial sweet pea, is a beautiful perennial climber that provides gardens with a fresh, pure white bloom. This hardy sweet pea is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a low-maintenance, long-blooming climber to their garden. While many people know annual sweet peas primarily for their fragrance, 'White Pearl' distinguishes itself through its long-lasting vigor, annual regrowth, and abundant clusters of bright white flowers that create a serene, almost luxurious appearance.

Bright white flowers for a peaceful and stylish garden

'White Pearl' produces large clusters of pure white, butterfly-like flowers from June to September. The flowers contrast beautifully with the fresh green foliage and give borders, pergolas, and fences an elegant, tranquil look. Thanks to its striking bright white color, this perennial sweet pea is also ideal for the so-called white garden, a garden concept that revolves exclusively around white blooms for a timeless, stylish atmosphere.

Although this perennial variety lacks the sweet scent of the annual sweet pea, it more than makes up for it with its reliable flowering, vigorous growth and ease of maintenance.

Strong, hardy grower

Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl' is a perennial, fully hardy plant that grows stronger every year. It reseeds from a strong rootstock in spring, quickly climbing upwards and reaching a height of 150 to 200 cm. Its tendrils allow it to easily attach to fences, trellis, trellis, or pergolas. Once established, it forms a lush, green wall that is not only decorative but also works perfectly to subtly conceal less attractive areas in the garden.

In addition, 'White Pearl' is known for its excellent drought tolerance once it is well established, which makes it a very robust garden plant.

Location and care

This perennial sweet pea thrives in a sunny to partially shaded spot. The more sun, the more abundant the blooms. The plant prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil. Regular watering is recommended during the first few weeks after planting, but after that, the plant requires little additional attention.

Because Lathyrus latifolius is a natural climber, a sturdy support is essential. You can gently guide young shoots in the desired direction. Prune old, withered stems back to the base in early spring. This encourages fresh growth and ensures more beautiful blooms in the new season.

Removing spent flower clusters will help the plant bloom longer, although it naturally produces a long and even flowering period.

Applications in the garden

'White Pearl' is a versatile plant that suits many garden styles:

• White gardens of modern gardens

• Cottage and romantic gardens

• Fences, pergolas and rose arches

• Vertical accents in borders

• Combinations with colorful climbers such as clematis, roses or blue salvias

The white flowers provide a refreshing contrast with pastel shades and deep colors like purple, red, or blue. The plant also attracts bees and butterflies, increasing its value in a biodiverse garden design.

Why choose Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl'?

• Pure white, elegant flowers

• Perennial and completely winter hardy

• Strong grower up to about 2 meters high

• Abundant flowering from June to September

• Low maintenance and good drought tolerance

• Perfect for fences, pergolas and borders

• Attractive to bees and butterflies

With its serene appearance and reliable growth, Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl' makes a beautiful addition to any garden that requires elegance, height, and long-lasting blooms.