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Lathyrus vernus (Spring pea)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.45m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lathyrus vernus
Other names
Spring pea, Spring vetchling, Bitter vetch, Spring bitter vetch, Spring vetch, Lathyrus cyaneus
Genus
Lathyrus Lathyrus
Species
L. vernus - L. vernus is a bushy herbaceous perennial. It has dark-green, pinnate leaves and in spring bears mauve, pea-like flowers that become tinted with bluish-green as they age.
Lathyrus vernus is: Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump-forming
Toxicity
May cause stomach discomfort if ingested.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Reddish-purple, Flushed green in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Slugs , Snails , Thrips Aphids , Slugs , Snails , Thrips
Foot and root rot Foot and root rot
General care
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Lathyrus vernus (Spring pea) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Lathyrus vernus
Other names
Spring pea, Spring vetchling, Bitter vetch, Spring bitter vetch, Spring vetch, Lathyrus cyaneus
Genus
Lathyrus Lathyrus
Species
L. vernus - L. vernus is a bushy herbaceous perennial. It has dark-green, pinnate leaves and in spring bears mauve, pea-like flowers that become tinted with bluish-green as they age.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump-forming
Toxicity
May cause stomach discomfort if ingested.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Reddish-purple, Flushed green in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Slugs , Snails , Thrips
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lathyrus vernus (Spring pea) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Lathyrus vernus (Spring pea)
Common pest name
American serpentine leaf miner; chrysanthemum leaf miner
Scientific pest name
Liriomyza trifolii
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Regulated pest already subject to review at the EU level (2013). Regularly intercepted in the trade.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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