I have no idea if they will work for you, but I did just read somewhere that sweetpeas need fifty straight days of cold weather in order to bloom.

Nancy

I thought sweet pea flowers didn't like the heat because they're a late spring/early summer bloom. You could try planting in fall for next spring directly where you want them to bloom. I don't think they transplant well.

Perennial sweet peas are nothing like annual sweet peas when it comes to their growing requirements. I have them and they bloom away in the hottest of weather!!! I can't say if they need a cold period to sprout but as far as blooming, mine bloomed like crazy in August!!! It is 99 degrees here this week and they are blooming!!! They also don't have any scent!!! I winter sowed mine about 3 years ago and they sprouted and the first year they looked very sad and didn't bloom and I planted them near a trellis and forgot they were there. At that point they were about 3 inches tall and just a green little plant. The next year Lo and behold they grew up the trellis and bloomed away and have come back every year!!! This picture was taken last year when they were reblooming in July just about this time of year.

Here is a link that might be useful: Perennial sweet peas

yer right goghunter, they aren't like annual sweet peas. They do very well in the heat. I have had mature plants before and they seemed to really take off when the temps got hotter. And I do miss the smell, it just isn't there. The foliage is almost dead on tho, compared to the annual ones. I went ahead and direct sowed some yesterday and we will see how they fare, I think they are so sweet, thue the name, as in all sweet peas. My annual ones are just starting to bloom, but they are showing signs of the hot weater too, they aren't as full as they were before the heat rose. I have mine in pot and slao two beds in the ground, the ones in the ground are much prettier than the ones in the pots.

I also have perennial sweet peas and love them. My plant had become enormous and was taking over the area I had them in, so moved them last fall. It has been slow to come back, but I have it in an area that gets less sun. They bloomed for me most of the summer in the past and I kept them deadheaded - not sure if that made a difference or not. I hope they do well for you. By the way maidinmontana, where in Montana do you live? I lived there for many years...and miss it!

Wigardener, I live in Billings, it's OK getting pretty big it reached 100 population. Where did you live when you were here? GO PACKERS !!! My husband is a cowboys fan they play each other this year so we are gonna go to Dallas for the big game. We went to Seattle last year for the monday night game thinking it would be the last chance to see Brett, but he's coming back! Sorry to make this ot, got carried away.

I see sweetpeas here all over the place, growing on old fences and where you wouldn't think they would thrive, I think they are pretty indistructable.

I have perennial sweet peas here too. But mine are red violet. Didn't plant them, they just showed up one day. Perhaps an exchange of white for red violet sweet pea seeds could be arranged? Same attributes, different color.Didn't know they had different colors! who knew.
BTW We traveled thru Montana in 99 - We think Glacier Nat'l Park is heaven on earth! We loved the state and the folks we met. We may end up there some day. Sue

Cooperbailey I would be happy to save some of my seed for you and would love to have some of your seeds!!! Mine are very pale pink..almost white. Just send me an e-mail sometime this Fall.
Joann

maidinmontana, I lived in Billings for 3 1/2 years, in Great Falls, in Missoula and also spent 2 summers in the Gallitin Canyon when I was 18-19 years old(working on a dude ranch!). Had many great experiences there...sorry, I also got carried away from the actual thread, just got nostalgic.

Perennial sweet peas come in shades of pink and white, although, I have found that white shades are prone to mildew.

Here is a link that might be useful: Arthur in the Garden

Lathyrus latifolius
I have some in my wildlife garden. A native wildflower here.

Libby