April Birth Flower

sweet pea

/ˈˌswēt ˈˌpē/

noun

:a climbing plant of the pea family, widely cultivated for its colorful fragrant flowers

: a widely cultivated Italian legume (Lathyrus odoratus) having slender usually climbing stems, ovate leaves, and large fragrant flowers

Floret Flower Farm

Happy Birthday to all who call April their birth month! You are the sweetest of peas... April's birth flower; The Sweet Pea, is known for its climbing, fragrant, butterfly-shaped flowers. They represent delicacy, blissful pleasure, gratitude and the sweetest departures and goodbyes. When I think of Sweet Pea's I can't help but to think of Erin Benzakein (pictured above). She is the founder and owner of Floret Flower Farm in Mount Vernon, Washington and the Sweet Pea's she grows are nothing short of gorgeous. Right up there with Joanna Gaines, she is the epitome of all my aspirations. I am sure I will be writing about her again and again because she is too great not to brag and share about. Her Sweet Pea's are grown at her flower farm every spring and she calls them the "gateway" to her whole flower farm. Here is a post by Erin on how to grow your very own Sweet Pea's if you're curious.

The Sweet Pea with the botanic name of Lathyrus odoratus is a native flower plant of the eastern Mediterranean region from Sicily to Crete. As stated in its definition, it is a climbing plant which can grow up to 6 feet when there is support available, like a wall or fence. The original wild plant is purple in color, but cultivators have bred in other colors.

Hence their name, Sweet Pea's have a sweet fragrance and is used by many gardeners just for the scent it gives off in their garden. Sweet Pea's generally are in bloom from March till November, and do best in cool damp climates.

 Sweet Pea's pretty pastel color palette ranges from purples, pinks and creams to salmon as well as two-toned varieties and its sweet fruity fragrance. But beware, despite its name and delicious perfume, the seeds of the Sweet Pea are poisonous if ingested. It is best to harvest the flowers in the morning when the dew is still on them. This is when their scent is the sweetest.  You can even use their dried petals to make a delightful potpourri.

Happy Birthday to all my friends and family with an April birthday! You can learn more about Erin and her flower farm "Floret" by clicking here. Happy Spring time and happy planting!

-Amy