Sweet Peas

The Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a beautiful plant which is known for its climbing ability. The flowers are brightly coloured and highly scented, but how did this flower become such a household favourite in the UK?

The History of the Sweet Pea

Although no-one is entirely sure about the origins of the flower, the first record was from Francisco Cupani (from the order of St. Francis) in 1695. At this time he was on the island of Sicily, but it is unknown if he saw the Sweet Peas in the wild or if they were being grown in the botanical garden in Misilmeri, which was under his control.

Cupani sent seeds for the sweet scented flower to botanist Dr. Casper Commelin in Amersterdam in 1699. In 1701, Commelin had published the first article on the flower, including an illustration of a sweet pea for the first time.

It is not entirely certain how and when the flowers arrived in Britain, but by 1700 they could be found growing in the garden of Dr. Robert Uvedale in Middlesex. He was a teacher and known for his love of new and unusual plants from around the world. Dr. Leonard Plukenet noted they were growing in Uvedale's garden in 1700 when he worked on a herbarium specimen, noting the origin of the plant from the garden in Middlesex.

The Name Sweet Pea

Lathyrus Odoratus is the latin name for the flower we know as the Sweet Pea. This pretty name perfectly describes the beautiful flowers and the deadly(if ingested) pods that contain the pea-like seeds. It is thought the name was first used by the poet Keats in the early 1800s, although it is not known whether he created the name or it was something he had heard.

Henry Eckford and the humble Sweet Pea

Henry Eckford spent his early life working in several nurseries. He soon moved on to other careers in the horticultural industry. His first recognition came whilst working with pelargoniums and dahlias as head gardener for the Earl of Radnor.

By 1882, Eckford had worked on his new varieties and he introduced the "Bronze Prince" sweet pea. This lead to him being awarded the First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. This was the highest award that could be awarded to the members of the society.

Henry Eckford and Wem

In 1888 Eckford moved to Wem in Shropshire to set up his own nursery. On his site he worked to produce many varieties of sweet pea, beginning the close link between the flower and the town of Wem.

By 1901, his range of plants had grown to 115 cultivars. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded him the Victoria Medal of Honour.

Following his death in 1906, Henry Eckford's work was carried on by his son John. Wem has kept its long standing association with the Sweet Pea, setting up the Sweet Pea Society of Wem. Every year, the group hold a festival to celebrate the flower. Further details of the dates can be found on our Events page each year.