Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon
snow pea
The subspecies of pea which has given rise to all the peas which have edible pods, 'eat all' or 'mange tout' in French. They include the flattened pods and the thick, fleshy pods often called snap peas. It is a green-leaved annual which climbs using tendrils. The flowers are white, pink or mauve and develop into green pods containing green peas
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Pink Purple | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Genus
A very small genus of annual, flowering plants from legume family. Native to SW Asia and NE Africa, species P. sativum is widely cultivated for food. Hollow. Climbing or trailing stems bear compound leaves and tendrils. Flowers are butterfly-shaped, 1-3 per stalk. The fruit is a pod
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Sow seed quite densely, in full sun in well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Provide support such as twiggy hazel sticks or netting, them to climb up. Pick pods regularly to ensure a continuous crop. For more advice, see pea cultivation.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Edible fruit
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to pea moth, aphids, pea and bean weevil, pea thrips, pigeons, slugs and snails. Mice may eat newly-sown seeds
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, downy mildews, foot and root rot, Fusarium wilt, grey moulds, pea leaf and pod spot, and virus diseases
Get involved
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