Sweet Pea Starry Night

Sweet Pea Starry Night features strong deep purples and blues, with touches of crimson and maroon, brightened by occasional creamy-white blooms. Said to be inspired by Van Gogh’s famous painting, the highly scented flowers are an artwork in themselves..

🌸 Flowering: June to August

📏 Height: to 180cm

🌿Annual

SOW
Sow in deep pots from October to February and overwinter in a cold frame, or sow in March or April. In mild areas, you can also direct sow in spring. Sow seeds 12–20mm deep. Some gardeners soak seeds overnight before sowing to help with germination — not essential, but worth a try.

GROW
Pinch out the tops when seedlings reach about 5cm to encourage stronger side shoots. Harden off spring-sown plants before planting out in May or June. Overwintered plants often flower earlier. Give them something to climb — wigwams, netting or hazel twigs all work well. Sweet peas are generous with blooms if you keep picking, so don’t hold back.

ENJOY
An inspiring mix of colour and scent; keep picking to encourage even more flowers.

The Inspiration Behind Starry Night and the Power of Flowers

“This morning I saw the countryside from my window a long time before sunrise, with nothing but the morning star, which looked very big,” wrote Van Gogh to his brother Theo, describing his inspiration for one of his best-known paintings, The Starry Night (1889). This iconic work reflects Van Gogh’s direct observations of the countryside from his window, as well as the memories and emotions that view stirred within him — feelings that continue to inspire others today.

Flowers have a similar power to evoke memories and emotions. It might be the colour, the scent, or the way different varieties combine. A particular flower might bring to mind a specific memory, or simply offer a moment of joy, peace, comfort, or even pride — the quiet satisfaction of thinking, “I grew that, and it is lovely.”

There’s no doubt that the simple act of being in the garden — tending plants and following their natural rhythms — helps us slow down, reconnect with nature, and find fulfilment and well-being in the process.