Sweet Pea 'Lady Grisel Hamilton'

Name: Sweet Pea 'Lady Grisel Hamilton'
Brand: Sweet Pea Gardens LLC
Price: 6.15 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$6.15

'Lady Grisel Hamilton' Sweet Pea Seeds
Lathyrus odoratus

Introduced by the legendary Henry Eckford in 1898, 'Lady Grisel Hamilton' is one of the finest heirloom sweet peas ever bred. Its graceful light lavender blooms, with soft mauve tones and the classic hooded shape of antique Grandifloras, have been treasured by gardeners for well over a century.

What truly sets this variety apart is its unforgettable fragrance. Rich, citrusy and beautifully complex, making it one of the most intensely scented sweet peas you can grow.

Although the blooms are smaller than modern Spencer varieties, they are produced in abundance on vigorous climbing vines, creating a spectacular display in both the garden and the vase.

Details
Plant type: Hardy annual
Height: 6-8 feet
Plant spacing: 6-8 inches
Site: full sun (or partial afternoon shade in hotter zones)
Soil & Water: fertile and moist, but well-draining
Pinch: when there are 4 pairs of true leaves
Approx 'Lady Grisel Hamilton' Sweet Pea Seeds per packet: 10

🌱 WHY WE START 'Lady Grisel Hamilton' SWEET PEA SEEDS IN ROOTRAINERS

Like all sweet peas, 'Lady Grisel Hamilton' develops a deep root system quickly. Rootrainers encourage strong downward root growth and reduce transplant shock when seedlings are planted into the garden.

We start every Sweet Pea Gardens crop in professional Rootrainers and recommend them to gardeners who want stronger plants and more flowers.

See the Rootrainers We Use

From the Sweet Pea Library: More About 'Lady Grisel Hamilton'

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
Classification: Grandiflora (Antique / Old-Fashioned)
Petal Pattern: Solid / Self (with subtle shading)
Color Profile: Clear, light lavender (light mauve standard with lavender wings)
Fragrance: Highly Scented
Breeder: Henry Eckford
Year Introduced: 1898
Flowering Type: Summer

Overview

'Lady Grisel Hamilton' is an incredibly famous and beloved antique Grandiflora sweet pea. It is celebrated for its delicate, clear light lavender coloration, featuring a light mauve standard resting over softer lavender wings. Structurally, it is an excellent example of the classic "hooded" petal form characteristic of the older varieties. Beyond its elegant appearance, it is highly prized for its exceptional perfume, exuding a complex, citrusy fragrance.

Growth Habit

As a traditional 19th-century Grandiflora, this variety grows as a robust climbing vine. While its individual flowers are medium-sized compared to the massive blooms of modern Spencers, the plant produces a magnificent abundance of blossoms. It requires a sturdy vertical support system, such as a trellis or netting, to climb successfully.

Cultivation Notes

'Lady Grisel Hamilton' is a summer-flowering variety, meaning it is a "long-day" plant that relies on the extended daylight hours of the peak season to bloom effectively. To maximize its floral output and stem length, it should be grown in rich, well-prepared soil. Like all sweet peas, it demands vigilant harvesting and daily deadheading; if spent blooms are allowed to develop into seed pods, the plant will stop producing new flowers entirely.

Historical Notes

This variety was bred by the legendary "Sweet Pea King," Henry Eckford, and officially introduced in 1898. Upon its release, it was considered the absolute finest and lightest shade of lavender available, quickly superseding older varieties of the era like 'Countess of Radnor' and 'Celestial'. Its historical footprint is immense: early winter-flowering strains were actually developed from spontaneous "sports" (mutations) found growing on 'Lady Grisel Hamilton' vines in the early 1900s. The name was so treasured by the public that in 1909, the American seed firm Burpee released a light mauve and lavender bicolour under the name 'Lady Grisel Hamilton Spencer' just to capitalize on its fame.

In the Garden

Grown for: Authentic heritage garden displays, abundant antique cut flowers, and an unforgettable, citrus-laced vintage fragrance.

Companion Planting: Pair this delicate lavender antique with other classic Eckford Grandifloras—such as the pure white 'Dorothy Eckford' or the dark maroon 'Black Knight'—to create a highly scented, authentic 19th-century heritage bouquet.

Safety: Sweet peas, just like many plants we grow in our gardens, are toxic. Sweet pea seeds and any part of the plant should not be ingested.

Recommended By Sweet Pea Gardens

Rootrainers: Our Preferred Sweet Pea Seed Tray

$27.95

Why We Use Rootrainers at Sweet Pea Gardens

Sweet peas develop long roots quickly. Rootrainers encourage deeper root growth and reduce transplant shock when planting into the garden.

These are the trays we use to start our own sweet pea crop each season.