Sweet pea shrub is a flowering plant that is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The plant has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Australia and New Zealand. The sweet pea shrub is a member of the legume family and is closely related to the garden pea. The plant is a woody shrub that typically grows to a height of 1-2 meters. The leaves of the sweet pea shrub are oval-shaped and have a toothed margin. The flowers of the plant are pink, purple, or white in color and blooming occurs from early summer to early fall.
Related plant:
Sweet Almond Bush
Related plant:
Sweet Mock Orange
About soil condition, sweet pea shrub prefers well-drained soil, and sweet pea shrub does not do well in waterlogged or very dry conditions. It is also important to have slightly acidic soil for sweet pea shrub, with a pH range of 5.5-7.0.
Like the other sweet peas, the sweet pea shrub requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. It's a good idea to plant them in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If you live in a hot climate, it's best to give them some afternoon shade to prevent the flowers from getting too much sun and fading.
The temperature condition that is best for sweet pea shrubs is cool to moderate temperatures. They can tolerate some heat, but prefer cooler conditions. If the temperatures get too hot, the leaves of the shrub will start to wilt and the flowers will begin to fade.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the air is too dry, the leaves will start to drop and the plant will become dormant. If the air is too wet, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will become susceptible to fungal diseases.
Mentioning fertilizer, usually the plant that comes to mind is a sweet pea shrub. It's a climbing plant that can grow up to 3 meters high, with pinnate leaves and large, showy flowers in a range of colors. Gardeners love it for its cheerful blooms and easy-to-care-for nature. When it comes to fertilizer, sweet pea shrubs are not particularly demanding. A moderate amount of a well-balanced fertilizer will suffice. However, it's important to water the fertilizer in well, as sweet pea shrubs have shallower root systems and may be susceptible to root rot.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your sweet pea shrub healthy and looking its best. late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Sweet pea shrubs can be pruned quite heavily if needed, so dont be afraid to cut back any wayward or overgrown branches.
Propagation is best done in spring, by taking softwood cuttings from new growth. The cuttings should be around 10-15cm long, and placed in a pot filled with moistened, well-drained propagation mix. Cover the pot with plastic to create a humid environment, and place in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Keep the mix moist, but not soggy, and in 4-6 weeks the cuttings should have rooted and be ready to transplant.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted on young plants in controlled greenhouse environments. The average growth rate for sweet pea shrubs in these studies is between 2 and 4 inches per week. However, sweet pea shrubs grown in more naturalistic conditions (e.g. in gardens or yards) often have growth rates that are much slower, on the order of 1-2 inches per month.
Common problems for this kind of plant are aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and spider mites. These pests are attracted to the sweet pea shrub because of the nectar and pollen that it produces. To control these pests, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil. You will need to apply these products every 7-14 days until the pests are gone.
Source:
Sweet Peas - Texas A&M University
Sweet Pepperbush: A Fragrant Native Shrub - UMD
Clethra, a Sweet Native Shrub | NC State Extension
