Two-flowered Everlasting Pea

Lathyrus grandiflorus is a herbaceous perennial climber that is less common than the standard Everlasting Pea but boasts much larger, more showy flowers. The blooms are typically bicoloured, featuring a large, bright rose-pink standard and deeper purple-crimson wings. While it lacks the scent of the annual sweet pea, it makes up for it with its sheer floral impact and the fact that it returns year after year. In the UK, it is a hardy and robust plant that uses tendrils to climb through fences or taller shrubs. It dies back completely to the ground in winter, re-emerging in early spring. It is particularly useful for adding height to a herbaceous border or for covering a low wall or trellis. It prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil but is not overly fussy about soil type. Unlike many climbers, it can be slightly invasive via underground runners, so plant it where its spread can be managed.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Most well-drained soils.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.