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Herbaceous Perennial

Lathyrus aureus

perennial golden pea

A bushy, robust, non-climbing species with an upright growing habit. In early to mid summer it produces flowerheads of up to twenty five dusky yellow-orange flowers, each one 1.5 to 2cm long

Synonyms

Lathyrus gmelinii 'Aureus'
Lathyrus luteus 'Aureus'
see moreLathyrus vernus aurantiacus

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: 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: Correct
Plant range: Greece

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; as a calcifuge, avoid attempting to grow it in chalky soils. See sweetpea cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt and sweet pea viruses

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