Sweet Pea 'High Scent'

Lathyrus odoratus

Widely regarded as one of the most fragrant sweet peas available! This beautifully delicate variety bears creamy-coloured petals with subtle violet-blue picotee edges and a heavenly perfume. Bred by Dr Keith Hammett and recognised as the world benchmark for scent, ‘High Scent’ has smaller flowers with a clamped keel. Also known as 'April in Paris', 'King's High Scent', 'Hi-Scent'

‘High Scent’ is a semi-grandiflora - Highly scented with longer stems than Old-Fashioned varieties. It requires 12 hours of sunlight to initiate blooming.

Bred by renowned New Zealand plant breeder Dr Keith Hammett.

Type: Semi-Grandiflora
Fragrance Level : 5

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 10 approx.
Germination: Lot#39817 98% APR 2024
For more growing information, read more…

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

TRANSPLANT (recommended) - Sow into pots from late summer - autumn. In areas that experience hard frosts, sow 10-12 weeks before the last frost. Sow one - two seeds per cell into forestry tubes (50mm x 50mm x 120mm)  These longer pots allow for the deeper root growth of the pea seedling. 13-21°C  is the optimum temperature for germination. Bottom heat may overheat so use caution. Soaking seeds is not necessary and it may reduce germination; chipping is not needed but should do no harm. Use a coarse multi-purpose propagation mix and ensure seeds are covered by no more than 5mm of compost after sowing. Evenly water to settle seed in. To avoid fungal issues, allow the surface to slightly dry between waterings. Place the pots in a cold frame or cold greenhouse and protect against mice and slugs. Germination should take place between 7-21 days. Once germinated, give the seedlings lots of light to ensure they do not become leggy.

DIRECT SOW - As newly germinating sweet peas are very attractive to mice, snails and slugs, we tend to not direct sow. Direct seed Mar- Aug (depending on your region). Sweet peas optimum germination temperature is 21°C. If you live in a cooler region, you can sow into August. Press seed 5mm deep into soil amended with well rotted compost. Evenly water to settle seed in. To avoid fungal issues, allow the surface to slightly dry between waterings.

For more growing information, read more…

HARVEST AND VASE LIFE

Sweet pea vase life is typically 4–7 days. To get the most from your blooms:

Harvest
- Cut in the coolest part of the day (early morning or evening).
- Pick when two florets are fully open, with the top bud just beginning to unfurl.
- Cut the longest stems possible.
- Place stems immediately into cool, clean water.

Before Arranging
- Allow blooms to rest for several hours in a cool, shaded place to fully hydrate.
- Use a commercial floral preservative, or make a simple solution of 1–2% sugar plus a tiny amount of bleach to feed the flowers and reduce bacterial growth.

Vase Care
- Change water every 1–2 days.
- Recut stems at an angle before returning them to fresh water.
- Replace flower food with each water change.
- Display in a cool location, away from direct sunlight, heaters, ripening fruit, and drafts.

*Please note: Sweet pea seeds and all parts of the plant including the flowers are poisonous if ingested. Please take care with children and pets.