hi,
this is a bit of a long shot but i am getting married in july 2008 and i really have my heart set on having lots of sweetpeas, in dark purples and pinks for the table decorations, i need about 15 vases full, alot i know just wondering if anyone grows this many and would be willing to sell some, maybe also some garden roses and alchemilla (i think thats how its spelt) would be very greatful for your thoughts.

What a fantastic idea for a wedding - sweet peas are gorgeous. I hope you find someone to help you out.

If you're still researching which sweet peas you'd like, can I suggest that you have a look at this (http://www.sweetpea-seed.com/) site? If you click on the 'Spencer' link, you'll find a massive range sorted according to flower colour.

I think I can help with the Alchemilla. Do you mean Alchemilla mollis, lady's mantle? Which bits do you want and how much? I can even dig you up a clump of your own if you want it.

What a great idea... my mum did the same at her wedding 33 years ago. She got all her friends and neighbours to grow them and went round to collect them a day or two before the wedding. They keep so well and smell so beautiful!!!!

What a great idea... my mum did the same at her wedding 33 years ago. She got all her friends and neighbours to grow them and went round to collect them a day or two before the wedding. They keep so well and smell so beautiful!!!!

Thanks Em that's so good to hear, i haven't heard of anybody else doing it and most people think I'm crazy I'm very determined though I've been in an organic restaurant on a farm that was just filled with jugs of them and they were so beautiful i can't imagine having anything else now.

I'm thinking now that i'll just have to grow my own ,Thanks for the link to spencers Hecate i'm sure i've seen their stall at Chelsea Its really helpful. Anyone got any tips for growing ? When is the best time to plant them to get them flowering in mid july?

Thanks yellow rose that would be great can i get in touch closer to the time?

Check out the following blog, they grew their own sweet peas for their wedding:

http://shewhodigs.blogspot.com/

I think the wedding was sometime around June 2006, but I'm sure she'll be happy to give you advice on what she did,

Rob

oh, i just started a post on this type of topic, sorry! Great minds think alike! we need to find out how many plants we will need to be aiming to grow or have peopele grow in order to have enough for 9/10 small vases- also as our do is august 2nd when we should plant em, etc.

any experts out there? anyone want to donate any seeds?

any help warmly appreciated.

hi, its a really nice idea but stressful and hard work. I have about thirty plants from seed, which are under a cold frame. i am also hedgin`

hi,
its a really nice idea but stressful and hard work. I have about thirty plants from seed, which are under a cold frame. i am also hedging my bets and buying some plants from simply sweet peas( if you google it you should find it). I am putting them down in stages to make sure we have some flowering.
I need alot more than you but i have no idea how many you would need to plant to ensure you had enough, i'm kind of going on the, you can never have too much side of things. I think it is too late to start growing from seed so the plant option would be best for you, now you need to ensure really good roots and the only other tip i have is they love tomato food.`i hope this helps.

Hello,

we have an idea to have sweet peas for our wedding, it's august 2nd 2008 and will be in sheffield (its cooler up here).

the idea is that we will try to get seeds in colours that will match the wedding colours- which are turquoise-blue and purple, then get friends and family to grow them. We would grow some back up ones on the lotty.

Any advice on planting times to have them ready for the first weekend in august, varieties, how many plants we'd need to get enough stems to fill narrow stem vases for about 9 tables, would all be really appreciated.

Even more than that would be any offers of seeds if you have any purple/mauve/lavender type ones- do 'they' do turquoise sweet peas?

who knows. or should we just forget it!! (the sweet pea idea not the whole thing!)

Craig

All I can say is dont plant them too early like I did last year. I started some in my coldframe during winter as per some gardening book and they just rotted. I planted some more later on (spring time) and they survived. I think torin had more success than me and maybe he can advise when he planted his last year (or search for old threads on here. We were going to have a sweet pea trial. Wilkinsons do plenty of sweet pea seeds and they are cheap enough. I cant recall a turquoise one, but that doesnt mean there isnt one available from a specialist.

my only advice is to keep cutting them as they come, as this is meant to produce more flowers, never let them go to seed. i've been told with all climbers if you encourage stems to grow in twists/spirals, they will produce more flowers.