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Spencer Ice Cream

Photos are representative and may not match your specific variety.

Spencer Ice Cream

Flower

Lathyrus odoratus

  • Full sun
  • Zones 2–11
  • 75 days to maturity
  • Flowers
  • 6" spacing
  • High water
  • Annual
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  • Overview

    Like vanilla ice cream, this aptly named variety produces blooms that are sweetly scented and creamy in color. Abundant, ivory blooms on healthy plants. Highly fragrant. Stems are shorter than those of other Spencer series varieties, but since the plants are vigorous and productive, foliage and tendrils can be cut with the flowers, providing the extra stem length and greenery needed to fill out bouquets or design work. NOTE: Spencer series sweet peas are known as late-flowering because they require at least 12 hours of daylight, unlike more modern sweet pea varieties bred for winter production, which may require only 10-11 hours of daylight. Attracts hummingbirds.

  • Planting

    Direct sow in early spring after last frost, or in fall in mild climates. Soak seeds 24 hours before sowing to improve germination.

  • Growing

    Sun: full. Water: high. Soil: Well-drained loam, slightly acidic to neutral. Space plants 6" apart. Germination: 7-14 days.