LATHYRUS PUBISCENS

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 23

LATHYRUS PUBISCENS

BLUE SWEET PEA The Argentine or blue sweet pea is not uncommon, yet it ’does not attain to that popularity which it merits. It is essentially a warm weather plant, and requires a position in full sun and well drained (says the * Marlborough Express ’). This latter point is most important, and if the ground is on what might be considered rather on the dry side the plant will live for years. If, however, the ground is moist, especially during winter, the probability is that the roots will decay. The plant is fairly easy to raise from seed, and should be given similar treatment to that given sweet peas. The best position in which to grow this plant is on the sunny side of a house or wall. Here there is usually a position that is very dry. If the sub-soil is hard and clayey, dig out a hole 2ft or 3ft deep and fill with a mixture of turfy loam (two parts) and sand (one part); if poor, a handful of blood and bone can bo added. Firm the soil as it is put in, and add sufficient to keep the surface rather above the surrounding ground. The plant or plants can be put out or seeds can be sown. Now is a good time to sow them, either in the open ground or singly in pots—the latter for jireference. Another position which suits this plant is close to an old tree stump, or even where the growths can get to the branches or some other tree. The plant will usually flower the first season, but it is often a vear or so, when well established, before it does. The growths die back each year, the plant being herbaceous. On no account allow seed pods to form, as this seems to so drain a plant’s resources that often a plant which has borne seed will decay the following winter, whilst one that has not carried seed will com© through quite unharmed.