Overview
Lathyrus vernus is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Lathyrus, part of the Fabaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Lathyrus vernus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, wildlife gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wall side borders, banks and slopes, climber and wall shrubs and cut flowers. It is native to Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland and France.
About
Lathyrus vernus, the spring vetchling, spring pea, or spring vetch, is a species of flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Lathyrus, native to forests of Europe and Siberia. It forms a dense clump of pointed leaves with purple flowers in spring, shading to a greenish-blue with age. This species, and the cultivar 'Alboroseus', have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It grows to around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lathyrus vernus
About the genus
Lathyrus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in tropical East Africa, and 24 in temperate South America. There are annual and perennial species which may be climbing or bushy.
Wikipedia contributors, "Lathyrus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lathyrus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Lathyrus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Lathyrus vernus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wall side borders, Banks and slopes, Climber and wall shrubs, Cut flowers
- Native to
- Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Lathyrus vernus
- Cultivation
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun; avoid waterlogged conditions; mulch in winter to protect roots
- Pruning
- Remove spent flowers to encourage tidy growth; cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt, Sweet pea viruses
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Lathyrus vernus?
Prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun; avoid waterlogged conditions; mulch in winter to protect roots.
Where is the best place to plant Lathyrus vernus?
Lathyrus vernus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Lathyrus vernus need?
Lathyrus vernus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Lathyrus vernus?
Remove spent flowers to encourage tidy growth; cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth.
How big does Lathyrus vernus grow?
Lathyrus vernus reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Lathyrus vernus hardy in the UK?
Lathyrus vernus has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Lathyrus vernus?
Seed, Division.
More in the Lathyrus genus
- Lathyrus odoratus 'Phyllis Elizabeth'Sweet Pea
- Lathyrus odoratus var. nanellus 'Lady T Cherub' (Cherub Series)Sweet Pea
- lathyrus chloranthus
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