Sweet Peas and Springtime

Every year between Easter and Mother’s Day, the Sweet Peas bloom in my garden. They remind me of my mom and my childhood. There was a huge trellis of the most fragrant sweet peas in our backyard right outside a window. The fragrance not only drifted into the house through the open window but the little tendrils latched onto the screen threatening to cover the window. I think my mom was secretly pleased about that while my dad (the practical one) was decidedly displeased. When the sweet peas arrive each year in the Springtime, I am transported back in time. Memories of my mom and her love of flowers, plants and gardens come back. I learned about flowers and plants and came to appreciate their beauty by watching her love, appreciate and nurture them.

The history of the sweet pea goes something like this – Around 1696, a Franciscan monk by the name of Father Cupani was hiking in the hills outside of Sicily and came upon a small blue flower that was so vividly colored and potently fragrant that he was mesmerized. He collected the plant and then it’s resulting seeds and sent them to a friend in Britain in 1699. By 1724, this variety with its deep blue lower petals and purple upper petals became commercially available and the variety was known as “Cupani”.

By the early 1900’s the color and flower variety of cultivated sweet peas had expanded. The famous variety “Lady Spencer” became available and remains popular today. It has large wavy blossoms but does not have the wonderful scent that characterizes the sweet pea. By 1910, the sweet pea had become the most popular annual flower in cultivation.

In the following 80+ years the original varieties almost completely disappeared but in 1986 the “Painted Lady” variety was found in Australia where it was grown by a family that had over 50 varieties of heirloom sweet peas they had grown for several generations.

Most of us have heard the expression “Hey, Sweet Pea” at some time. We may have heard a parent, grandparent or other treasured adult say that to us or someone else. It is meant as an endearment filling the receiver with comfort and love. Although we may have heard it used, we may have never thought about its origins which come from the sweet pea flower. The sweet pea is one of the most precious, quaint and sweetest scented of all flowers. Those who have been called this endearment (you know who you are) embody the qualities of this flower.

Sweet peas grow in beautiful upright clumps or climb likes its edible cousins in the Fabaceae (Pea) family. It symbolizes gratitude, good wishes, friendship, kindness and goodbyes. In France, sweet peas are associated with brides and giving her sweet peas on her wedding day is meant to bring best wishes for a long and happy marriage. The Latin name of the sweet pea is Lathyrus odoratus. The Greek word “Lathyros” translates to “pea” or “pulse” and the Latin word “odoratus” means fragrant. The Latin name gives us a clue as to the fabulous scent of the sweet pea. Few flowers compare to the gentle almost candy-like quality. To me it has a hint of sandalwood, beeswax and rose all mixed together in the best possible way. Whenever I pick the ones in my garden, I breathe deeply and immediately some of my happiest childhood memories come back to life.

It is a fact that scents trigger memories. Researchers have found that this is because scents bypass the thalamus and go straight into the brains “smell center” called the olfactory bulb. This smell center is directly connected to the part of the brain that triggers recall and recognition. This explains why the smell of something can immediately bring forth detailed memories or emotions.

Even though science has been able to explain to us why scents from our past bring up these feelings and memories, I believe in my heart that in the Spring, when the sweet peas bloom, my mom is with me in my garden. She telling me she is with me and that she loves me in a language that she knows I will understand.

My Mom - Jacqueline D. Geier-Lahti - 1933-2016

Love you mom

How I Got Here