Lathyrus

Spring Vetchling. One of the stars of the early spring garden, this perennial bush Pea makes a soft-textured clump with scads of lavender-pink Pea flowers. Combines well with Hellebores and Narcissus and is virtually pest-free. Low-maintenance - just cut back in fall.

Uncommon species which has an understated wowness, a gently modulated shout-out, a decorous fist-pump, a nomination for Best Supporting Perennial. While this Pea is no Peacock, it nonetheless garners ample attention with its clusters of copper-orange Pea flowers in mid to late spring which are set off nicely by the dense light green leaves. Long-lived and to our minds, choice perennial.

This is one sweet Pea. Native to the Caucasus Mts, this takes a backseat to its more floriferous and showy cousins for it has simple pairs of pink flowers borne with restraint that nestle comfortably among the rounded leaflets. Don't be misled by the backseat as it is the backseat of a Bentley. Perfection of leaf and flower in exquisite refinement that demands you take a moment to admire. It has prime space in our sunny border despite the petitions from more flamboyant plants blooming in containers back in the relative obscurity of the stock greenhouse.

A superb form of Lathyrus vernus, the Spring Bush Pea. This has long willow-like leaves compared to the typical form and the same lovely violet flowers. A graceful perennial, this makes a dense clump retaining textural interest long after the flowers fade. This narrow leaf form has a number of names - subsp. gracilis, 'Gracilis', var. flaccida, 'Flaccida', 'Filifolius' that are used interchangeably and we're not sure what is correct but we know that if we simply say 'Narrow Leaf' then you can use whichever name carries the most weight in your opinion. Excellent is sun or light shade and a plant we would not be without.