Sweet Pea 'Matucana'

Sweet Pea 'Matucana' has bicolor flowers of violet-blue and maroon-red. The powerful fragrance can be detected from several feet away, and it reseeds better than any other sweet pea in my Zone 5b 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 adds, "Matucana is often quoted as the most highly scented sweet pea."

Type: Heirloom grandiflora (old-fashioned)

Fragrance rating: 5/5

Height: 6'

Spacing: 4-6"

Light: Full sun; afternoon shade in hot climates

Sowing Sweet Pea Seeds

Sow seeds outdoors or start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Sow 1/2" deep. Move to a sheltered location outside when most of the seedlings appear (before the leaves unfurl). Bring indoors if temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Pinch when there are 2-3 sets of true leaves. Transplant 2-3 weeks before the last frost date. All parts are poisonous.

Home-grown seeds.