My Sweet Peas: Better Late than Never!

I was late in planting my sweet peas this year and it seems that with the cold and wet spring they’ve been playing ‘catch-up’ ever since. So it was a joy to see the first flower at the weekend. Just when everybody else’s beautiful sweet peas are finishing mine are finally getting going!

The first sweet pea in my garden finally makes an appearance! — *First sweet pea of the summer*

Sweet peas have so much going for them. Native to Sicily, the southern Mediterranean and the Aegean Islands they bring a breath of summer sun and warmth to any garden.

Vibrant Mediterranean colours — *A bright blue day in the Mediterranean*

The colours are rich and vibrant – or delicate and subtle. The perfume is simply heavenly – and quite heady. Just a few stems cut and placed in a vase can scent a room for days. In the language of flowers sweet peas have been used to express youthful love – symbols of delight, beauty and affection. As a child I recall visiting a great aunt and being given a posy of sweet peas to take home – it was the first time I had encountered their wonderful fragrance and I was entranced!

A child holds a delicate flower — *Childhood memories of floral posies*

Sweet peas have been associated with gratitude and loyalty and are linked with firm and lasting friendships. The flowers appear fragile but are hardy and resilient and have been used to symbolize strength and courage in the face of adversity.

Woman in field re-energised with sweet pea power! — *The sweet pea stands for courage and strength*

The poet John Keats wrote:

Here are sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight:
With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white…

So enjoy them – outdoors in all their splendour as they romp up a support, or indoors where their colour and perfume will bring joy to all.

Small crystal vase holding posy of sweet peas — *A sweet pea posy*

Truly a case of ‘better late than never…’