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Narrow-leaved everlasting pea (Lathyrus sylvestris) is found in scattered locations throughout the British Isles in hedges, thickets and woods. It is often found on railway embankments. It was originally a cultivated plant that was grown in gardens for its showy flowers, but it ‘escaped’ into the wild and gardeners are now more likely to grow the related sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) which has been developed to display many shades of colour, as well as being scented.
The narrow-leaved everlasting pea is a scrambling plant that climbs up other plants, such as blackberries, by means of the branched tendrils at the ends of its leaves. It grows up to 80 inches (200 cms) high. The stems have prominent broad ‘wings’.
Narrow-leaved everlasting pea flowers from June to August. The stalk bearing the flower-head is usually longer than the leaves and carries anything from three to eight flowers, which are either pink or white.
The smooth pods are 2-3 inches (5-9 cms) long and contain up to 14 seeds each.
The name ‘everlasting’ refers to the fact that the plant is a perennial, as opposed to the true pea which is an annual.
Very nice! I am always curious about the ground cover people use around the world!
We are talking here about a wild-growing plant, not something that a gardener would choose to grow. Apart from that, plants of this family are climbers – they grow up other plants or – in a garden context – up canes or netting attached to a wall. So not really suitable as ground cover!
fair enough, it has a very interesting flower, but I do understand it is wild not cultivated!
Narrow-leaved everlasting pea is one of the most handsome pea plants. Its 2-metre (6.5 feet) stem lies on the ground or climbs up low trees and bushes and trees’ lower branches.
Nice post, thanks for sharing.
Would love these perennials in my garden.
Would you not prefer scented, multi-coloured sweet peas to this wild version?