The Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet pea is a beautiful variety known for its large, butterfly-like blooms in a striking blend of pastel salmon-pink and cream. These prolific climbers add incredible fragrance, color and height to gardens and cut flower arrangements. Here’s an in-depth look at this standout sweet pea and how to grow it successfully.
Overview of Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
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Botanical Name Lathyrus odoratus ‘Mammoth Salmon Cream’
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Type: Annual flowering vine
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Height: 6 to 8 feet tall when supported
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Spacing: Plant 6 inches apart
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Exposure Full sun to part shade
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Flower Color: Pastel salmon-pink blended with cream
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Bloom Time: Early summer
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Fragrance: Strongly scented flowers
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Uses: Climbing vines, cut flowers, containers, trellises
Key Features of Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
Some of the top attributes that make Mammoth Salmon Cream a favorite sweet pea variety include:
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Extra large, ruffled blooms up to 2 inches wide
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Beautiful bicolor pattern in salmon-pink and cream
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Very floriferous over a long bloom season
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Lovely sweet pea fragrance
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Excellent for cut flowers with long vase life
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Heat tolerant in warm climates
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Vigorous climbing vines grow 6 to 8 feet tall
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Thrives in containers and small spaces
Growing Conditions for Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
This sweet pea vine performs best in the following conditions:
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Hardiness Zones: Can be grown as an annual nationwide in zones 2-11
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Soil: Moist, well-draining soil enriched with compost
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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; needs at least 6 hours of direct sun
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
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Fertilizer: Apply balanced fertilizer when planting and again midseason
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Supports: Needs trellises, netting, fences or other structures to climb
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Temperature: Grows best in cool conditions around 60-75°F
How to Plant Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
You can start Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet pea seeds indoors or direct sow into the garden:
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Indoors: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost. Soak seeds for 24 hours then plant 1⁄2 inch deep in seed starting mix. Grow seedlings under lights with temperatures around 65°F. Gradually harden off before transplanting into the garden after danger of frost.
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Outdoors: Direct sow seeds outdoors 3-4 weeks before your last spring frost date once soil reaches 60°F. Soak seeds overnight then plant 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart in rows. Cover lightly with soil and water gently. Thin seedlings to 6 inch spacing.
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Containers: Fill large pots or planters with moist potting mix enriched with compost or fertilizer. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot and thin to leave the strongest seedling. Add climbing supports as vines grow.
Growing and Caring for Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
To keep your vines thriving into summer, remember these tips:
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Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially when plants are flowering and setting pods. Avoid waterlogged soil.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
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Install climbing supports like trellises and swags when plants reach 4-6 inches.
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Pinch off tips once plants reach 6-12 inches tall to encourage bushy, branching growth.
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Pick flowers frequently to encourage more bloom production. Deadhead spent blooms.
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In hot climates, provide some afternoon shade to prevent heat stress. Mist vines on very hot days.
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Protect seedlings and vines from slugs, snails and other pests. Deer also love to eat sweet peas.
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Pull spent vines at the end of the season. They are typically grown as cool weather annuals.
Tips for Maximizing Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea Blooms
Here are a few tips to get the most flowers from your vines:
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Plant in early spring as soon as soil can be worked to allow a long growing and flowering period.
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Choose a sunny, sheltered location protected from strong winds which can damage vines.
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Amend soil with aged compost or well-rotted manure to boost nutrition.
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Install climbing supports early before vines start to sprawl and tangle.
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Water consistently, especially during hot, dry spells which can cause bud drop.
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Remove spent blooms to encourage more flower production. Deadhead daily.
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Cut flowers frequently for bouquets to keep plants blooming. Keep vines picked clean.
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Interplant with cool weather annuals like pansies, violas and snapdragons which share ideal conditions.
How to Harvest Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers
To enjoy these fragrant beauties indoors, here are some tips for cutting and conditioning Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet peas:
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Pick blooms when they are 3⁄4 open, preferably in the morning while still cool.
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Use sharp floral shears or scissors for clean cuts. Avoid crushing stems.
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Immediately place in water after cutting and move out of direct sun.
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Remove any leaves, tendrils or spent blooms below the waterline.
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Cut stems on an angle and place in fresh water every 2-3 days. Recut stems as needed.
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Sweet peas have a relatively short vase life of 5-7 days. Enjoy their beauty and fragrance while it lasts!
Common Problems With Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
When provided with suitable growing conditions, Mammoth Salmon Cream is relatively trouble-free. But here are a few potential issues to watch for:
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Powdery mildew, leaf spots and other fungal diseases in wet conditions. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.
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Aphids, slugs, snails and other sap-sucking pests. Check undersides of leaves and use organic insecticidal soap as needed.
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Failure to bloom due to over-fertilization, overwatering, heat stress or insufficient sunlight.
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Vines dying back early due to root rot from overly moist soil. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Leggy, sprawling vines with few flowers often means insufficient support or pinching/pruning.
With its elegant bicolor blooms and intense sweet pea fragrance, Mammoth Salmon Cream brings charm and nostalgia to the garden. Give this prolific climber the right growing conditions and it will reward you with armloads of beautiful cut flowers to enjoy all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mammoth Salmon Cream Sweet Pea
Here are answers to some common gardening questions about this lovely heirloom sweet pea variety:
What does the Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet pea look like?
It has large, ruffled flowers in a blend of pastel salmon-pink and light cream. The bicolor pattern is quite striking. Blooms reach 2 inches across.
How tall does Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet pea grow?
When provided with proper climbing supports, the vigorous vines can reach 6 to 8 feet tall in a single season. Expect a bushy, spreading growth habit.
Is Mammoth Salmon Cream a perennial sweet pea?
No, it is normally grown as an annual vine even in mild winter climates. You can collect seeds to replant each year for reliable blooms.
What is the best way to start Mammoth Salmon Cream sweet pea seeds?
Most gardeners prefer direct sowing into the garden several weeks before the last expected frost date. But you can also start seeds indoors or in pots for a head start on the season.
How often do you need to water sweet peas?
Sweet peas require consistent soil moisture especially when blooming. Water thoroughly 1-2 times per week if rain is lacking. Avoid soggy soil which can cause root rot.
With its incredibly beautiful bi-colored blooms and vigorous growth habit, Mammoth Salmon Cream is a stunning sweet pea variety that will bring vertical color and fragrance to your garden this season.