Sweet Pea Winston Churchill
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
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.
Read More
🌿 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.
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.
