Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani'

Also Known As

Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani's Original'
Cupani Heirloom Sweet Pea
Cupani's Original Sweet Pea

Plant type

vine, annual / biennial

size

H: 6'-8'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

1-12

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Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani' plant details

Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani' is a broadleaf deciduous annual / biennial vine with green foliage. In spring and summer blue, burgundy and purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in alkaline, average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani'

Plant type: annual / biennial vine
Plant family: fabaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: blue, burgundy and purple blooms in spring and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, floriferous, fragrant, heirloom, long-blooming, self-sowing, trellis

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani'

USDA Zones: 1 - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: alkaline, average, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A fragrant bicolor in marvelous, opalescent shades of purple and deep blue. Not fussy like some modern Spencers, this classic can tolerate warmer summer temperatures too. Seeds poisonous. 2-3 plants per pot.

By: Select Seeds

History & scentual pleasure! ‘Cupani’ was first cultivated by a Sicilian monk, Father Francis Cupani, who found this intensely scented wild sweet pea growing near his monastery in 1695. In 1699, he sent some seeds to a teacher in England & so ‘Cupani’ is the first recorded Sweet Pea to be cultivated. Though the beautiful deep purple-blue & violet bi-colored blooms are smaller than modern hybrids, ‘Cupani’ retains the original fabulous fragrance loved by Father Francis. No other sweet peas are this fragrant. Besides that, they will BLOOM LONGER in warmer weather than all the others. Rich Soil is best for Sweet Peas. Fine for containers, too. Reseeds!