Spencer Ice Cream - Sweet Pea Seed

New! Simple and sweet.
Like vanilla ice cream, this aptly named variety produces blooms that are sweetly scented and creamy in color. Abundant, ivory blooms on healthy plants. Highly fragrant. Stems are shorter than those of other Spencer Series varieties, but since the plants are vigorous and productive, foliage and tendrils can be cut with the flowers, providing the extra stem length and greenery needed to fill out bouquets or design work. NOTE: Spencer Series 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. 400 seeds/oz. Packet: 50 seeds.
DAYS TO GERMINATION:14-21 days at 55-65°F (13-18°C). To aid germination, seeds can be presoaked for 24 hours in room temperature water prior to planting.

SOWING:Transplant (recommended) - Sow 1/4- 1/2" deep into 72-cell flats or preferred deep-cell seedling container, 4-5 weeks before planting out. Darkness is required for germination. Direct seed - 6 weeks before last frost. Seedlings won't be damaged by light frost. Pinch when 6-8" tall to encourage denser branching and more flowers. Trellis support is required.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:Sun.

PLANT HEIGHT:Varies. Support such as Hortonova vertical trellis is needed to support plants.

PLANT SPACING:6".

HARDINESS ZONES:Annual.

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).

HARVEST:Half the flowers on a stem are open. Harvesting flowers increases blooms.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:Rich, deep, loamy, moist, well-drained soil. 6-7 pH preferred.
TIP:Using white on black plastic or straw mulch will help keep roots cool and the plants productive for a longer period.

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

SCIENTIFIC NAME:Lathyrus odoratus