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Look no further than Lathyrus vernus the Spring Pea if you want a beautiful clump forming plant for a partially shaded area in Spring. It’s a member of the Leguminosae/Fabaceae family. In fact it’s also one of the earliest of the hardy cottage garden perennials to flower in spring.
I bought Lathyrus vernus in a sale many years ago in a 9cm pot with one little stem. I never fully appreciated the plant as it seemed to sulk for its first few years.
Just look at it now!
Growing Lathyrus vernus
Lathyrus vernus doesn’t scramble like its cousin the climbing sweet pea. It forms a very dense low growing bush at the front of the border preferring partial shade to full sun. The flowers remind me of the purplish pink vetch that grows wild in the hedgerows along the lade. Though Lathyrus vernus behaves itself staying in clump form around 35cm x 45cm in height and spread. The pea like intense purple-violet flowers age to blue on short flowering stalks along one side of the stem.
The plant is a native from the forests of Siberia, the Caucasus, Belarus and Ukraine. The RHS suggest it for growing in woodland gardens and partially shaded borders. It has the RHS ‘AGM’ Award of approval and no wonder! Lathyrus vernus flowers prolifically during the spring and is such a low maintenance plant.
a good plant for woodland areas!
I just wish it was scented like its cousin Lathyrus ordoratus …but us gardeners can’t have everything our own way! During the summer it produces loads of seed pods which ripen from green to red and then to blackish purple. Furthermore they naturalize quite easily in the surrounding soil.
Tricia @ Bluff Area Daily
Very very pretty, love that purple color =)
Wren
Very pretty.
Ellie
I've not heard of this flower before but it is such a pretty flower. I have heard of sweetpea – my dad grew these when I was a wee girl so it holds very fond memories for me.
I must look for this one in the garden centre – I might visit this weekend.
kirstallcreatures
What a lovely plant, wonderful photos too.
~Gardener on Sherlock Street
Love those flowers. Good luck with the seeds. I hope you get tons more.
Larry
Hi… I love this plant as well and I have several good size specimens that started from the original plant given to me by a friend… I also have a couple of the pink version. The seeds germinate like crazy for me in a bed that has a lot of soil that originally was wood mulch. I even remulch this area and I still get lots of little plants. The area is reasonably moist and gets some east sun but is otherwise partially shady. My problem has been moving the seedlings about… the rabbits adore them and I haven't taken the time to protect them from the wee ones! I do know one thing for sure…trying to divide mature plants is a bit like trying to divide a pot of well aged concrete…Larry
HolleyGarden
Don't grow it – but it's very pretty. I love that color of purple. Good luck with your plan of collecting and planting the seeds.
Curbstone Valley Farm
We have the purple hairy vetch that grows here, and I agree, this pea does remind me of it. However, I'd say this plant is much prettier, more controlled looking, and the flowers have more presence too. I'm glad it's volunteered a few seedlings for you, but you may need to watch out for slugs until they get a little larger. That border would look lovely if your one plant has some company.
Pieces of Sunshine
I haven't heard of this plant before. You have photographed it beautifully.
Alistair
I don't know why I have always dismissed this plant as being of little interest to me. Glad I dropped by today.
Anna
A beautiful spring flower Rosie and glad to hear that it now has some company. I bought one from our local nursery last spring and fully intended to collect seeds. It was a case of I blinked and they had jumped out of the seedcases 🙁 Will try again this year. Mine is just about to come into flower.
The Garden On Loch Ness
One of my favourite flowers, I love it in pretty posies in the house. Glad you have had some seedlings pop up, hope they grow well for you
Donna@Gardens Eye View
I just love this plant…I will have to look into growing this stunner!!
Quality Silk Plants
WOW what a nice post about the flowers I really like spring flowers, I have so much in my garden (Daffodil, Iris Reticulata, Forsythia, Scilla, Anemone, Tulip Rhododendron and azaleas). I love at all the flowers very much, thanks for donating your post between us.