Sweet peas are one of the most popular annual flowering vines grown in gardens. Their beautiful, fragrant blooms add charm and fragrance to any garden space. While traditional sweet pea varieties can grow quite tall requiring support structures like trellises, there are also more compact options like the sweet pea knee high mix.
What is Sweet Pea Knee High Mix?
Sweet pea knee high mix is a blend of dwarf or “bush” type sweet pea cultivars that only grow 12-18 inches tall This makes them perfect for small spaces or containers where having a climbing vine would not be practical The mix contains a blend of colors like pink, purple, red, white and blue. The plants are still covered in fragrant blooms but stay at a more compact height.
Some of the most common cultivars found in knee high sweet pea mixes include
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Bijou Mix – A blend of solid and bicolor blooms in shades like lavender, pink, purple, scarlet, white and blue. Grows 10-12 inches tall.
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Little Sweetheart Mix – A mix of pink, rose, purple, lavender, red and white blooms on plants that reach 14-18 inches tall.
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Cupani – Heirloom dwarf variety with rich purple blooms and 12-15 inch height.
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Benny – White blooms with a light pink picotee edge on 14 inch plants.
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Misty – Lavender blooms on dwarf 10 inch plants.
Benefits of Growing Knee High Sweet Peas
There are several advantages to choosing a knee high dwarf sweet pea mix versus standard climbing varieties:
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Perfect for containers and small spaces – Only growing 12-18 inches tall, these dwarf sweet peas are ideal for planting in containers on patios, balconies and porches. They also work well in small garden beds.
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No support needed – The short bushy plants don’t require staking or trellising to stay upright. This makes them very low maintenance.
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Long blooming – Most dwarf sweet pea plants will bloom for 8-10 weeks if deadheaded regularly. This provides weeks of color and fragrance.
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Fragrant – Just like their taller counterparts, the knee high mixes produce very fragrant flowers perfect for cutting.
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Adds charm – The compact mounds covered in pretty blooms add instant charm to container designs and small spaces.
How to Grow Knee High Sweet Pea Mix
Sweet peas are relatively easy to grow as long as you follow some basic care guidelines:
Location – Sweet peas need full sun, at least 6 hours per day. Make sure to pick a spot that gets plenty of direct sun.
Soil – Sweet peas like loamy, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend clay soils with compost or peat moss.
Planting – Sow knee high sweet pea seeds directly in the ground in spring once soils have warmed up to at least 55-60°F. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart.
Care – Keep soil moist until germination, which takes 7-14 days. Once established, water sweet peas when top few inches of soil become dry. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Support – While dwarf sweet peas don’t require staking, short pea brush or small cages can help keep plants tidy.
Harvesting – Pick sweet pea blooms frequently to encourage more flower production. Remove spent blooms promptly.
With proper care, the knee high mix will reward you with months of color and fragrance even in small spaces! Trim plants back halfway during summer to encourage a flush of new growth. In warmer zones, sweet peas can be sown in fall for winter and early spring blooms.
Using Knee High Sweet Peas in the Landscape
One of the best aspects of dwarf sweet peas is their versatility in the garden. Here are some ways to incorporate knee high mixes:
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Charming addition to container plantings on decks, patios and porches. Combine with other annuals like lobelia, marigolds or nasturtiums.
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Mass planted in drifts in small flower beds for big impact. Underplant with low edging plants like alyssum or dwarf marigolds.
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Planted in window boxes or hanging baskets for gorgeous vertical color.
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Add sweet peas to raised garden beds and borders for pops of fragrance and color.
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Use knee high sweet peas as compact filler in mixed containers. Pair with spikes like snapdragons.
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Plant in rows or small groupings within vegetable gardens to attract pollinators
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Train dwarf sweet pea vines onto short obelisks or pyramid trellises for added height
Tips for Growing Knee High Sweet Peas
Follow these tips for success with dwarf sweet pea mixes:
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Provide even moisture – Allow soils to dry out between waterings but don’t let plants wilt severely.
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Fertilize regularly to fuel blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Pick flowers daily for bouquets. Removing spent blooms encourages more buds.
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In hot climates provide some afternoon shade orfiltered sun to prevent flowers from fading.
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Prepare the soil with compost and mix in inoculant to aid with nitrogen fixation.
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Amend soil with lime if pH is below 6.0. Sweet peas prefer a neutral pH of 6.5-7.0.
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Sow seeds directly in the ground in spring once soils reach 55-60°F.
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Plant new seeds every year for best performance as sweet peas are not perennial.
With a little TLC, the compact knee high sweet pea mix will reward you with an abundance of fragrant, colorful blooms even in the smallest garden spaces for months on end!
Frequency of Entities
sweet pea knee high mix – 27
dwarf – 9
fragrant – 5
blooms – 10
small spaces – 5
knee high – 7
containers – 3
The “COOL” SECRET to Growing Strong, Stocky, Naturally Branching Sweet Pea Seedlings!!!
FAQ
How tall do knee high sweet peas grow?
Do knee high sweet peas need support?
How tall do sweet pea mammoth mix get?
Do sweet pea flowers come back every year?
Are sweet peas considered heirloom varieties?
Sweet Peas, referred to as Sicilian natives, are considered heirloom varieties with a pleasant, sweet fragrance of honey and oranges. They are hardy annuals that prefer cool, moist growing conditions. Large clusters of dainty flowers are borne on graceful vines that crave the support of a trellis, fence or secure netting.
Are peas high in protein?
Peas are a great vegetarian or vegan protein source. Per 100g of peas, it contains 5g of protein. This is not necessarily high in protein because if compared to something like chicken, there is 27g of protein per 100g. Peas do contain protein but are not necessarily high in protein.
When should I start growing Sweet Peas?
In areas with milder winters, Sweet Peas may also be started in late fall for early spring blossoms. They are a prized cut-flower that loves to be cut and groomed for increased flower production. Sweet Peas are a hardy annual and bloom in the spring. Height: 6′ to 8′.
Are peas high in calcium?
Peas are a good source of calcium. This is particularly helpful for vegans and vegetarians that may struggle to meet their calcium requirement due to inadequate dairy consumption.