Sweet Pea 'Three Times As Sweet'

At a Glance

Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
• Classification: Grandiflora
• Petal Pattern: Stripe
• Color Profile: Maroon and violet striping over a crisp white ground
• Fragrance: Strong / Highly Scented
• Breeder: T&M (Thompson & Morgan)
• Year Introduced: 2021
• Flowering Type: Summer-Flowering

Overview

'Three Times As Sweet' is a magnificent, modern addition to the Grandiflora class that beautifully marries intense vintage fragrance with striking contemporary coloring. The blooms feature a highly attractive patterned display, showcasing rich maroon and violet stripes set vividly against a clean white background. Because it is a Grandiflora, it delivers an incredibly powerful and complex perfume, making it an exceptional choice for gardeners wanting both dramatic visual contrast and a room-filling scent in their summer bouquets.

Growth Habit

Exhibiting the robust vigor typical of summer-flowering sweet peas, 'Three Times As Sweet' is a tall-climbing vine. To reach its maximum height and display its striking blooms beautifully, it requires a sturdy vertical support system, such as a tall trellis, netting, or bamboo teepees, to climb throughout the season.

Cultivation Notes

To coax the most spectacular blooms from this vine, plant it in a sunny location with deeply enriched, well-draining soil. Because of its tall climbing habit, the stems should be tied in regularly to ensure the plant remains secure against the wind. Consistent harvesting and the diligent removal of faded blossoms are absolutely essential to prevent the plant from setting seed, ensuring a continuous, uninterrupted flush of striped, highly scented flowers all summer long.

Historical Notes

While the Grandiflora classification is often associated with historic antique varieties from the 19th century, 'Three Times As Sweet' is actually a very recent introduction. It was officially introduced to the botanical registry in 2021 by the renowned British seed firm T&M (Thompson & Morgan). It was bred specifically to offer the intense perfume characteristic of older varieties while presenting a uniquely modern striped pattern.

In the Garden

Grown For: Intensely fragrant cut flower arrangements, striking visual contrast, and adding a dramatic, patterned novelty to the summer border.

Companion Planting

To make its dark maroon and violet stripes truly stand out, pair it with a crisp, pure white variety like 'Wild Swan'. Alternatively, planting it alongside a deeply saturated, moody variety like 'Almost Black' or 'Dark Passion' will create a highly sophisticated, dramatic display that perfectly echoes its dark striping.