Sweet peas were first documented in Sicily in the late seventeenth century and, with their delightful scent and diverse range of beautiful colours, have established themselves as annual favourites across the world. This essential guide looks at the genus in detail and explains how the novice gardener or the seasoned grower can get the very most from their sweet peas. This revised edition gives an introduction to the history and types of sweet pea; instruction on growing and caring; advice on producing flowers for exhibition and crop production; understanding and introducing new varieties and finally, growing sweet peas around the world. There is a final chapter introducing other Lathyrus species, closely related to the sweet pea. AUTHOR: Roger Parsons has been a professional horticulturist since 1970 and started growing sweet peas as a hobby in 1984; in 2005 he set up a seed business, Roger Parsons Sweet Peas. Roger maintains the UK National Collection of Sweet Peas and is well-known as a chairman of NSPS. He was formerly chairman of the RHS Sweet Pea Trials Committee. He has successfully raised and introduced new, award-winning varieties. 160 colour photographs

Author Biography

Roger Parsons has been a professional horticulturist since 1970 and started growing sweet peas as a hobby in 1984; in 2005 he set up a seed business, Roger Parsons Sweet Peas. Roger maintains the UK National Collection of Sweet Peas and is well-known as a chairman of NSPS. He was formerly chairman of the RHS Sweet Pea Trials Committee. He has successfully raised and introduced new, award-winning varieties.