A brief history of the <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea “CUPANI” The original <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea, seeds were sent to a Dr Robert Uvedale, a school master at Enfield, Middlesex by one Francisus Cupani in 1699. A monk living in Sicily. The flower of those days was a mean thing by todays standards, probably one two or three blooms at most, small on a modest, slender stem, and of maroon colour with bluish-purple wings, but it had one redeeming feature, a captivating perfume, and that surely persuaded Dr Uvedale to seed and grow again, and commend to his friends. So the flower became known in its own small way in the early 1700s, and like all good things its popularity spread and was offered for sale commercially as early as 1730. “PAINTED LADY” Was the first recorded break in colour from “Cupani’s variety and was a pink and white bicolour and appeared around 1726. The Turning Point for <strong>Sweet</strong> <strong>Peas</strong> “PRIMA DONNA” Now to perhaps the greatest single turning point in the history of the <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea. As we have explained the flower of those days was plain and the petals were devoid of any wave or frill which is such an attractive characteristic of today. Then the miracle happened in 1899 the head gardener (Silas Cole) at the Earl of Spencer’s Garden, noticed the blooms on one of his Prima Donna plants to be completely different remarkably frilled. The plant was encouraged to seed and the following year some of the seedlings retained the frilly form and colour of the parent. In l90l tremendous excitement was aroused by a table exhibit of the new frilly variety named “Countess Spencer” at the Great <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea Exhibition held at the Royal Aquarium in London. The flower world was entranced and to meet the demand a large area was put down to seed in California. The Wavy <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea “COUNTESS SPENCER” Was crossed with many other colours and gave rise to further new frilled varieties (Spencer’s) and were catalogued by many seed companies in the early years of this century. Between the two world wars much progress was made in the <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea world marked by many new introductions. The Modern <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea “SIR JIMMY SHAND” named after the Scottish band leader is a good example of a modern (Spencer) <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea, large frilly flowers with good placement on a long stem, with good scent, flowers have some weather resistance, strong growing and free flowering grown well clumps of modern <strong>Sweet</strong> <strong>Peas</strong> can reach a height of 8-10 ft. New Introductions from Dr Keith Hammett (New Zealand) www.drkeithhammett.co.nz We are pleased to offer you something a little different from New Zealand bred by Dr Keith Hammett, the renowned New Zealand based <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea breeder. ‘High Scent’ I am always asked at trade stands, what’s the best <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea for scent ? Well this is it. Reputed to be the most scented sweet pea ever, a grandiflora soft Cream-coloured flowers that have a delicate Violet Picotee edge that is further enhanced by the ruffled petals. Awarded the R.H.S Award of garden excellence. Scent 8******** Intoxicating N.S.P.S Classification Class 62 White-Blue Picotee Edge ‘Big Blue’ A large well scented Mid Blue producing 5-7large florets on a long stem. Scent 3*** ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ A small flowered, well scented Red and White bicoloured <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea with the most distinct contrast between the standard and wing petals of any <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea ideal for a bridesmaids posy/ spray. Scent 4**** All cultivars in this catalogue have star ratings for scent 1-5 the higher the star rating the stronger the scent. * Lightly scented ** <strong>Sweet</strong>ly Scented *** Very <strong>Sweet</strong>ly Scented **** Extreme Scented ***** Intoxicating ‘Almost Black’ The flowers are small and plain Old Fashioned style, a well-scented ,sweet scented, very very dark blue, but give the appearance of being black. Looks stunning with white <strong>Sweet</strong> <strong>Peas</strong>. Scent 4**** ‘Blue Shift’ This is also known as ‘Duchy of Cambridge’ a very unusual <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea the large flowers on long stems open a rich Purple and gradually darken to a deep Blue when left on the plant or cut for the vase. Vigorous grower makes an excellent back drop for a Red boarder. Scent 3*** ‘Wild Swan’ A large flowered, very frilly, pure white <strong>Sweet</strong> Pea often producing 5 florets per stem. Vigorous, Ideal for weddings and cut flowers. Scent 3***