Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Blush' – Exceptional cut flower sweet pea for early cultivation

Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Blush' is a unique and high-quality selection within the scented sweet pea family, specially developed for professional cut flower production in early spring. This variety is known for its impressive long stems, large, billowing flowers, and exceptional quality, making it ideal for both commercial production and ambitious home gardeners who want to enjoy sweet pea flowers early in the season.

An early bloomer thanks to short-day selection

Unlike the original wild Lathyrus odoratus, which naturally blooms in summer, 'Spring Sunshine Blush' has been carefully selected to flower early in the year. The flowering of these plants is controlled by day length. While summer bloomers require about 12 hours of daylight, spring bloomers like 'Spring Sunshine Blush' are adapted to only 11 hours of daylight. This makes it possible to grow the plant during shorter daylight periods, such as in late winter or early spring, and even under limited light conditions in cool greenhouses.

These qualities allow gardeners and professionals to produce flowers before the regular sweet pea season, making 'Spring Sunshine Blush' an important addition for cut flower production under controlled conditions.

Remarkable growth characteristics

This selection distinguishes itself from common sweet pea varieties through vigorous, early growth that can even continue into winter. While standard sweet peas often develop slowly in periods of low light, 'Spring Sunshine Blush' continues to grow actively, allowing the stems to quickly develop sufficient length and strength for a high-quality harvest.

Each stem can bear about 5–6 large flowers, contributing to abundant and attractive cut flower production. The blooms are wavy, full-bodied, and softly colored in a delicate blush shade, creating a fresh, spring-like appearance and making them perfect for pastel bouquets or arrangements.

Cultivation and care

For optimal germination and growth, it's recommended to soak 'Spring Sunshine Blush' seeds in lukewarm water beforehand. This promotes faster and more uniform germination. Sowing can be done at various times, depending on the desired harvest time:

• December sowing for early spring flowers

• Sow in May for an autumn harvest

Due to its more vigorous growth compared to other winter selections, this variety requires slightly modified cultivation methods, such as ensuring adequate support for the long stems and maintaining a consistently cool greenhouse environment with adequate air circulation.

Application and benefits

'Spring Sunshine Blush' was specifically designed for professional cut flower cultivation, but is also of interest to advanced home gardeners who want to achieve a lush, fragrant bloom early in the year. Some advantages of this selection include:

• Early flowering in spring, regardless of short day length

• Impressive long stems with multiple flowers per stem

• Large, wavy flowers of high quality

• Vigorous growth in low light levels and cool greenhouse conditions

• Flexible sowing schedule for different harvest times

These qualities make Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Blush' a reliable choice for those who want to produce high-quality, fragrant cut flowers early in the season.

Why choose Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Blush'?

• Exceptional selection for early greenhouse production

• Unparalleled quality of flowers and stems

• Easy to sow and cultivate for maximum yield

• Long flowering, consistent production with 5–6 flowers per stem

• Perfect for professional use and advanced home gardeners

With its delicate blush color, vigorous growth, and reliable early flowering, 'Spring Sunshine Blush' is a valuable addition to any cut flower arrangement, allowing you to offer an early season of fragrant, elegant blooms.