Show Me a Picture of Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are one of the most beloved flowers for gardens. Their beautifully colored and fragrant blooms have made them a cherished flower for centuries. If you want to see pictures of these lovely blooms, there are some great online sources that provide high quality photos of sweet peas.

About Sweet Peas

Sweet peas, with the botanical name Lathyrus odoratus, are flowering vines that originally were native to Sicily and Italy They grow as an annual in temperate climates. These plants became popular in England in the 1700s and their popularity spread

Sweet peas produce flowers on long stems making them exceptional for cut flowers. The blooms come in a range of colors from white and pink to purple, red and bi-colors. They have a beautiful, sweet fragrance.

The vines can grow quite long, up to 2 meters. They perform best when grown on a trellis or other support. Left to grow along the ground, the stems and flowers often become dirty and damaged.

These flowers thrive in cool weather. In places with very hot summers, gardeners often focus on growing them in spring and fall. The plants bloom profusely when temperatures are mild.

Where to Find Photos of Sweet Peas

If you want to see pictures of the lovely, colorful blooms of sweet peas there are some good sources online to find high quality images. Stock photo sites like iStock and Getty Images offer photos of sweet peas that clearly show their beauty.

iStock

A search for “sweet pea” on iStock returns over 7,700 images of these flowers. You’ll find pictures of the blooms with a white, botanical style background that lets their form and colors stand out. Other photos showcase sweet peas growing in garden settings.

The images show all the colors of sweet peas – whites, pinks, purples, reds and bi-colors. Close up shots allow you to see the ruffled petals and details of the flower form. The photos are high resolution and could be used for print or web projects.

Getty Images

Getty Images provides over 1,750 photos of sweet peas when you search for “sweetpea.” You’ll find pictures of the blooms against white backgrounds and in garden settings.

Some of the images showcase sweet peas growing up trellises and garden supports. The high resolution pictures capture the subtle colors and veining in the ruffled petals. You’ll find photos of traditional garden varieties as well as unique, heirloom types like ‘Eclipse’ and ‘Matucana.’

Tips for Photographing Sweet Peas

Part of the appeal of sweet peas is the wide range of colors. To capture them at their best:

• Photograph sweet peas in morning or afternoon light when the sun is low in the sky. This warm lighting brings out the richness of the colors.

• Avoid shooting at mid-day when overhead lighting can make the blooms look washed out.

• Use a macro lens for detailed close up shots that show the lovely patterns and textures of the flowers.

• For garden shots, photograph the plants on Cloudy days to avoid harsh shadows.

• Compose shots to avoid busy backgrounds that distract from the flowers. Shoot against simple green foliage or neutral walls.

• Capture the length of vine and number of blooms by shooting down the row of plants.

How to Grow Sweet Peas

If the pictures of sweet peas make you want to grow them yourself, here are some tips:

• Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost. Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting.

• Provide supports or trellises for the vines to climb. Grow up fences, obelisks, or string netting between posts.

• Pinch out the top growth when plants reach 6-8 inches tall to encourage branching and more flowers.

• Water regularly, providing 1-2 inches per week. Avoid wet foliage which can promote disease.

• Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer. Too much nitrogen leads to more leaves and less flowers.

• Remove spent blooms promptly to encourage more flower production.

With proper care, you can have armloads of sweet pea bouquets from your garden. The beautiful photos of sweet peas you find online will guide you in knowing what to aim for.