Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Sweet Pea Winston Churchill
Sweet Pea Winston Churchill
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Sweet Pea 'Winston Churchill' Seeds
'Winston Churchill' is widely considered the finest crimson Sweet Pea ever bred. It produces large, frilly, velvet-textured blooms in a rich, glowing scarlet-crimson. As a classic 'Spencer' type, it is engineered for excellence, boasting exceptionally long, straight stems that make it a favourite for flower arrangers and exhibitors.
While many modern red varieties lack fragrance, 'Winston Churchill' breaks the mould. It carries a lovely, sweet scent that, while not as overpowering as the old-fashioned types, is certainly strong enough to perfume a room when cut. It provides a splash of regal colour that draws the eye from across the garden.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Sweet Peas are **Hardy Annuals**.
They live for one season but are tough enough to withstand cold weather.
The Strategy: For exhibition-quality blooms on the longest stems, sow in Autumn (Oct/Nov) and overwinter the young plants in a cold frame. For an easier, relaxed garden display, sow in Spring (Jan-March).
Top Tip: Sweet Peas are deep rooters. Sow them in "root trainers," deep pots, or even empty toilet roll tubes to give the roots plenty of vertical space to grow.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Sweet Peas are hungry plants that thrive on rich soil and regular picking.
Germination:
Sow indoors in Oct/Nov or Jan-March. You can soak the seeds in tepid water for a few hours before sowing to soften the hard coat (optional). Sow 1cm deep in moist compost. Keep cool (approx 15°C)—heat inhibits germination! They usually sprout in 10-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They need **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. Dig a trench and fill it with well-rotted manure or garden compost before planting out. Ensure you have a strong support structure (wigwam, trellis, or netting) ready for them to climb.
Care While Growing:
Tie them in: Use soft twine or sweet pea rings to guide the stems up the support.
Feed: Once flower buds appear, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser (tomato feed).
Pick, Pick, Pick! You must remove seed pods immediately. If the plant sets seed, it assumes its job is done and stops flowering. Harvest flowers every 2 days.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Lathyrus odoratus |
| Common Name | Sweet Pea 'Winston Churchill' |
| Hardiness | H3 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 1.8m - 2.4m (Climber) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm - 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🔴 Bold Colour ✂️ Long Stems (Cutting) 🏆 Exhibiting 🪜 Covering Arches |
| Seed Count | Approx. 25 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The intense crimson of 'Winston Churchill' looks fantastic when cooled down with greens and blues:
- 🍋 Larkspur 'Limelight Mix': A fresh, modern contrast. The greenish-white spikes of the Larkspur lift the deep red of the Sweet Pea, preventing it from looking too heavy. It makes for a very sophisticated bouquet.
- 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': For a patriotic display. Combine the deep red Sweet Pea with the electric blue Cornflower for a classic, rich colour scheme that stands out brilliantly in a sunny border.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in Autumn for early flowers, or Spring for summer blooms.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Seeds | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Sweet Pea seeds are mildly toxic if eaten in large quantities. Unlike vegetable garden peas, these pods are not for eating. Please keep seeds away from small children.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
'Winston Churchill' holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). It is a gold-standard variety recognized for its consistent performance and vibrant colour.
