Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are celebrated for their captivating fragrance, a trait that has been selectively enhanced by breeders for centuries. From a botanical perspective, their scent is a complex volatile organic compound (VOC) cocktail designed to attract pollinators like bees. The intensity and character of this fragrance can vary significantly between cultivars due to their genetic makeup. The following varieties are renowned for producing exceptionally high concentrations of these delightful aromatic compounds.
Often considered the gold standard for fragrance, this heirloom variety is believed to be very close to the original Sicilian species plant. Its bi-colored purple and maroon flowers emit an intensely sweet and rich perfume. From a horticultural standpoint, its simplicity—being a single-flowered, not double-flowered type—may allow for easier access to nectar and thus a more potent release of scent to attract insects.
This modern variety boasts large, lavender-white flowers with an exceptionally strong and sweet fragrance. Its robust scent is a testament to successful breeding programs that have managed to combine disease resistance, long stems for cutting, and the powerful aromatic genes from older, more fragrant ancestors.
A classic royal crimson Spencer-type sweet pea, this variety produces a strong, traditional sweet pea fragrance. The Spencer types are known for their large, waved flowers, and this cultivar demonstrates that breeders can select for both form and function, maintaining superb scent while improving floral structure.
An esteemed heirloom variety known for its pure white, beautifully formed flowers and an extraordinarily powerful scent. The white pigmentation does not inhibit the production of volatile compounds; in fact, this cultivar is often noted as one of the most fragrant whites available.
This is not a single variety but a mix of strains selected for their exceptional heat tolerance and intense fragrance. Botanically, these plants often exhibit traits from their Middle Eastern progenitors, which evolved to produce strong scents to thrive in their native climate.
A stunning bicolor variety with picotee-edged pink and white standards. Its scent is remarkably strong and sweet. The plant's energy allocation towards producing such a complex color pattern does not diminish its capacity to synthesize abundant aromatic compounds.
This variety features salmon-pink flowers with a captivating and intense fragrance. The development of such a distinct color, combined with potent scent, shows the intricate link between a flower's visual and olfactory signals to pollinators.
A beautiful lavender-blue sweet pea that is consistently praised for its powerful perfume. The coloration and scent are both results of specific biochemical pathways in the plant, and this cultivar excels in both areas.
A magnificent deep blue variety with an exceptionally strong fragrance. The depth of color is provided by anthocyanin pigments, while the scent comes from a separate set of metabolic processes, making its dual intensity a notable achievement.
This striking variety features stunning violet and soft pink blooms. Beyond its visual appeal, it releases a very strong, sweet fragrance. Its popularity underscores how modern breeding can successfully combine novel color patterns with the essential, beloved scent of the species.
