Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Cerise' – Early cut flower sweet pea with vibrant cerise flowers

Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Cerise' is a high-quality selection from the scented sweet pea family, specially developed for professional cut flower production in early spring. This variety combines vigorous growth, long stems, and multiple large flowers in a vibrant cerise color, making it ideal for both commercial production and for ambitious home gardeners who want to enjoy lush, fragrant flowers early in the season.

Early flowering through short-day selection

Unlike the original summer bloomers of Lathyrus odoratus, 'Spring Sunshine Cerise' was selected to flower early in the year, even with short day lengths. Spring varieties like this one only need about 11 hours of daylight to develop flowers, allowing them to bloom in cool greenhouse conditions as early as late winter or early spring.

This short-day selection allows for an abundance of flowers to be harvested outside the traditional flowering season, which is particularly valuable for commercial cut flower growers and for home gardeners who want to enjoy fragrant sweet pea flowers earlier.

Powerful growth characteristics

'Spring Sunshine Cerise' has strong early growth that continues even during periods of low light. Each stem can bear 5–6 large flowers that develop on sturdy, wavy stems. The cerise flowers are intensely colored and add a fresh, vibrant look to bouquets and arrangements, while retaining the classic, graceful shape of sweet pea.

Thanks to its long, straight stems, this variety is perfect as a cut flower and retains its firmness and shape even when picked intensively.

Cultivation and care

For optimal germination, it's recommended to soak 'Spring Sunshine Cerise' seeds in lukewarm water beforehand. Sowing can be done at various times, depending on the desired harvest time:

• December sowing for early spring flowering

• May sowing for autumn flowers

The variety thrives in cool greenhouses with limited light, and its vigorous growth allows it to produce high-quality flowers even under suboptimal conditions. It's important to provide good support for the stems and allow sufficient space for the abundant flower development. Regularly picked flowers also encourage new blooms and extend the flowering period.

Application and benefits

'Spring Sunshine Cerise' is ideal for:

• Early cut flower production in greenhouses

• Luxurious spring bouquets and flower arrangements

• Ambitious home gardeners who want early blooming

• Combinations in pastel and mixed bouquets

The vibrant cerise color makes the flowers striking and attractive, and they complement white, pink, and purple flowers perfectly in various flower arrangements. Moreover, this fragrant sweet pea attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to biodiversity in the garden or greenhouse environment.

Why choose Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Cerise'?

• Early flowering under short-day conditions

• Vigorous growth in cool greenhouse conditions

• Long stems with 5–6 large flowers per stem

• Intense cerise flowers of high quality

• Ideal for cut flowers and professional use

• Flexible sowing schedule for spring or autumn production

With its vibrant color, strong stems, and reliable early flowering, Lathyrus odoratus 'Spring Sunshine Cerise' is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy fragrant, elegant sweet pea flowers early in the season.