Sweet Pea has been a well known term of endearment bestowed upon countless loved ones over the years. The very moniker implies “you’re so cute and lovable” and just saying the words sweet pea aloud elicits warm and tender feelings.

As for the flowers bearing the name, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are noted for their ruffly petals which give them a dainty and feminine flair. Cultivated since the 17th century, they are native to Italy, Sicily, Cyprus and the Aegean Islands of the Mediterranean. Sweet peas became a late Victorian era sensation in the United Kingdom after being cross-bred by Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford.

A member of the legume family, some sweet peas grow on vines and can climb garden fences while others have been bred to yield stronger stalks which can stand sturdily on their own. They come in a vast array of colors including white, coral, pink, purple, lavender red and yellow.

Delicate green tendrils and a fragrant scent add to their blissful allure. Currently sweet peas abound in the gardens of Billerica . Be creative and train sweet peas to climb up homemade trellises made from an antique bed frame or an old gate or any other flea market find.

Sweet peas are available nearly year round from March through November. They can be placed in vases or mason jars to make simply elegant centerpieces for any occasion.

For a wedding, there’s something chic about a simple bridal bouquet of white sweet peas tied together with a glossy ribbon. If you choose to create a mixed bouquet, sweet peas go well with calla lilies, hyacinth, lilac and delphinium. For a change of pace, think of adding in a sprig of blackberries for a unique touch. Tuck sweet peas into an enormous bouquet including peonies, ranunculus, dahlias, garden roses and eucalyptus for a striking composition.

In 1933, baby Swee’Pea, son of cartoon characters Popeye and Olive Oyl, made his cartoon debut. Sweet peas make an adorable decoration for a baby shower. The classic “pea in the pod” theme can be greatly enhanced with an abundance of sweet pea floral arrangements and centerpieces. Seed packets can be given out as favors.

Sweet peas possess a quintessential heirloom quality. Old fashioned etiquette states sweet peas signify “goodbye and thank you for a lovely time”. Remember to thank someone for their hospitality with a lovely bouquet of precious sweet peas.

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