Lathyrus vernus 'Rainbow'
spring pea 'Rainbow'
'Rainbow' is a compact, clump-forming perennial to 40cm tall and wide with dark-green, pinnate leaves divided into 2-4 pairs of oval or lance-shaped leaflets. In spring, short racemes of pea-like flowers, each up to 2cm long and in shades of pink, purple, blue and white, are borne on one side of the short, dark flower stems
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Blue Pink Purple White | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Pods and seeds are not edible. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Lathyrus can be annuals or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly climbing, with pinnate leaves ending in a tendril, and showy pea-like flowers, fragrant in some species
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Best grown in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See sweetpea cultivation for further information.
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt and sweet pea viruses
Get involved
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