Sweet Pea Bishy Barnabee Mix
Description
Sweet Pea 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' Seeds
Our exclusive 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' is a hand-picked selection of our very favourite Sweet Peas. We haven't just gone for size; we have selected varieties specifically for their powerful, nostalgic fragrance and their old-fashioned charm. Expect a tumbling riot of colour: soft lavenders, rich violets, creamy whites, and vintage pinks.
Sweet Peas are the soul of the cottage garden. Whether scrambling up a rustic hazel wigwam or trailing elegantly from a tall container, they provide armfuls of flowers for the house. This mix combines the elegance of the long-stemmed 'Spencer' types with the intense perfume of the traditional 'Grandiflora' types, giving you the best of both worlds.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Sweet Peas are **Hardy Annuals**.
They live for one season but can withstand cold weather.
The Strategy: You can sow them in Spring for summer flowers, but for the biggest, strongest plants with the longest stems, sow them in Autumn (October/November) and overwinter them in a cold frame or cool greenhouse.
Top Tip: Sweet Peas have deep roots. Use "root trainers" or deep pots (like toilet roll tubes) when sowing to give them plenty of room to stretch out.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Sweet Peas are easy to grow, but they are hungry and thirsty plants.
Germination:
Sow indoors in Oct/Nov or Jan-March. Soak the seeds in tepid water for a few hours before sowing to soften the hard coat. Sow 1cm deep in moist compost. Keep cool (approx 15°C). Heat can inhibit germination, so don't put them in a hot cupboard! Germination takes 10-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They need **full sun** and rich, fertile soil. Dig in plenty of manure or compost before planting out. They need a support structure (canes, trellis, or netting) ready for them to climb up immediately.
Care While Growing:
Tie them in: Gently tie the young stems to your support frame to get them started.
Feed and Water: They are thirsty! Water regularly and feed with a high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) once flowers appear.
Remove Seed Pods: If you see a green bean pod forming, snip it off immediately, or the plant will think its job is done and stop flowering.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Lathyrus odoratus |
| Common Name | Sweet Pea |
| Hardiness | H3 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 1.8m - 2m (Climber) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm - 30cm apart |
| Great for | 👃 Scented Gardens ✂️ Cut Flowers 🪜 Covering Fences 🏡 Cottage Style |
| Seed Count | Approx. 25 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Sweet Peas inevitably get "scruffy legs" (the bottom leaves turn yellow/brown). Hide the base with these bushy annuals:
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The perfect screen. Plant white Cosmos in front of your Sweet Pea wigwam. The ferny foliage hides the Sweet Pea stems, and the white flowers look fresh against the colourful climbers.
- ❄️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': The florist's dream. If you are growing Sweet Peas for cutting, you must grow Gypsophila. They are the classic "bouquet" combination, and growing them together in the border looks just as good as it does in a vase.
📅 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 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Important Toxicity Note
Unlike garden peas, Sweet Pea seeds are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities. They are grown for their beauty and scent, not for eating. Do not mistake the seed pods for edible mange tout!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This curated mix focuses on fragrance and vigour. While some modern varieties lose their scent, we ensure 'Bishy Barnabee Mix' retains the powerful perfume that makes Sweet Peas famous.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
Embrace sustainability
Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
