What would summer be without sweet peas? They are one of my favourites and I grow masses every year. I started sowing seeds for this season’s display last week – I’m always too busy to do it in the autumn – and A World of Sweet Peas, which landed on my desk recently, has given me lots of encouragement to get going. If, like me, you love these colourful, scented annuals, then this is a must-read.
(I was given a review copy but am not paid.)
The appeal of this book begins before you’ve even opened it with a beautifully illustrated and textured cover by graphic designer Sofia Scheutz. Red coloured page edges and a useful ribbon book mark add to the sense of beauty.
A World of Sweet Peas is written by commercial growers and sweet pea enthusiasts Philip Johnson, of English Sweet Peas, and Swedish grower and author Cecilia Wingård.
It’s a comprehensive exploration of what they describe as “the Queen of Annuals” that covers everything you could possibly want to know.
The book opens with an overview of the history of sweet pea cultivation and some of the characters who made them popular – many immortalised in the varieties we still grow today.
Dr Robert Uvedale was the first to grow them in Britain, having received seeds from Sicilian Francesco Cupani in 1699.
We learn of a competition run by the Daily Mail in 1911 for the best bouquet of sweet pea blooms that received 38,000 entries, and the swapping of seeds between Britain and America.
The different classifications, such as Spencer or Grandiflora, are explained, along with a description of colours. It appears there is work being undertaken to accurately classify scent, a characteristic many growers believe is essential in a sweet pea. Both authors also give their own step-by-step instructions on cultivation, one suited to the British climate and the other for far chillier conditions!
Further advice includes different ways of supporting these climbers and ideas for annuals and perennials that can be used with them in mixed bouquets and floral arrangements.
There’s an explanation of why stems can get shorter as the season goes on, and tips on cutting flowers.
One of the most interesting sections looks at examples from each of the sweet pea types with lots of photographs. Among those blooms featured are ‘Albutt Blue’, one of the most strongly scented, ‘Alisa’, possibly the only Russian introduction, and ‘Our Heroes’, introduced by Phil and named for the frontline workers in the Covid pandemic. There’s also a preview of new varieties that are soon to be launched. Finally, there’s an index of varieties giving a description and naming the breeder.
This is a thorough look at a garden favourite that’s informative and highly dangerous if you are buying seed as it’s packed with temptation.
A World of Sweet Peas by Cecilia Wingård and Philip Johnson is published by Flower Power and costs £40 available from English Sweet Peas.
You can read more of my gardening and garden-related book reviews here.
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