Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Lathyrus x hammettii
- Classification: Modern Grandiflora / Shifter
- Petal Pattern: Reverse Bicolour
- Color Profile: Lavender and blue
- Fragrance: Moderate
- Breeder: Dr. Keith Hammett
- Year Introduced: 2008
- Flowering Type: Summer-flowering (requires 12 hours of daylight)
Overview
'Erewhon' is a highly sought-after, innovative creation from New Zealand's premier sweet pea breeder, Dr. Keith Hammett. It is famous for its distinct "reverse bicolour" display of lavender and blue hues. Beyond its unusual coloring, it is classified as a "shifter," which means the petals undergo a captivating color transformation as the bloom matures, rather than simply washing out or fading over time.
Growth Habit
As a summer-flowering hybrid, this vine requires approximately twelve hours of daily sunlight to initiate its blooming cycle. It grows vigorously, producing the lengthy stems and substantial flowers expected from modern exhibition and cut-flower varieties.
Cultivation Notes
To ensure optimal root development, start the seeds in deep containers like Rootrainers and transplant them into a thoroughly trenched bed. Because it is a summer-flowering type, early spring planting (or autumn planting in milder climates) allows the plant to establish a strong base before the summer heat triggers top growth. Pinch the top of the young seedlings to encourage lateral branching, and be sure to harvest the color-shifting flowers constantly to prevent seed-set and prolong the blooming window.
Historical Notes
The story of 'Erewhon' begins with the 1988 discovery of the Belin pea (Lathyrus belinensis) in Turkey. In his ambitious pursuit to breed a truly yellow sweet pea, Dr. Hammett crossed this newly discovered species with the standard garden sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus). While the yellow sweet pea remains elusive, this cross successfully birthed a brand-new hybrid class officially named Lathyrus x hammettii. This breakthrough unlocked the remarkable color-shifting traits seen in 'Erewhon' when it was introduced to the market in 2008.
In the Garden
Grown for: Adding a magical, transformative color element to floral arrangements, celebrating groundbreaking horticultural genetics, and providing a heavily scented display.
Companion Planting: To highlight its shifting blue and lavender tones, plant 'Erewhon' alongside creamy yellows like 'Cathy' or 'Juliet', or contrast it against very dark, moody varieties such as 'Midnight' or 'Almost Black'.
