spring pea
Also known as: bitter vetch; spring bitter vetch; spring vetch; spring vetchling
L. vernus is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 45cm in height, with dark green, pinnate leaves and short racemes of up to 6 flowers 2cm in length, reddish-purple, shaded greenish-blue with age
Scientific classification
- Species
- spring pea (Lathyrus vernus)
- Genus
- Lathyrus
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Toxicity
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Plant type
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Clump forming
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
spring pea pictures
Distribution of spring pea
Distribution map
Europe to Siberia and Iran
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Culture
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Toxicity
Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of spring pea
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spring pea care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningDeadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring
Growing
GrowingBest grown in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See sweetpea cultivation for further information
People also ask
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt and sweet pea viruses
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails
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