Sweet Pea 'Matucana'

Sweet Pea 'Matucana' is an heirloom grandiflora. The bicolor flowers of violet-blue and maroon-red bloom for a long time in summer. The powerful fragrance can be detected from several feet away. It reseeds better than any other sweet pea in my zone 5 garden.

Sweet Pea 'Matucana' makes a stunning companion plant for roses. It was given the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2014.

Roger Parsons says that Matucana is "more vigorous than the similar Cupani." I agree. I've grown both, and Matucana is much better. He also says, "Matucana is often quoted as the most highly scented sweet pea."

Grandiflora sweet peas are more heat tolerant than other types.

Fragrance rating: 5/5

height 6'

Sowing Matucana Sweet Pea Seeds

Start indoors or sow outdoors 8 weeks before the last frost date, 1/2" deep and 4" apart. In the south, sow in late fall. If starting in pots, move to a sheltered location outside when most of the seedlings appear (before the leaves unfurl). Bring indoors if temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Transplant to the garden 2-3 weeks before the last frost date. Full sun to part shade. Seeds and all parts of the plants are poisonous.

Home-grown seeds.