Singletary pea
Lathyrus sylvestris · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around singletary pea and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Fabaceae (legumes)
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial climber
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August, pink to purple flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2 m in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Europe, temperate regions
- Growth
- Moderate
Care
Exposure
Place your wood vetchling in full sun or partial shade for generous flowering. It appreciates sunny locations that promote fruiting and intensify the flower color. A position protected from strong winds is recommended to prevent damage to the stems.
Soil
This legume prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. It adapts to moderately fertile soil and tolerates stony or chalky ground. Avoid waterlogging, which could promote root rot.
Watering
Water regularly after planting to ensure root establishment. Once established, the vetchling tolerates drought well thanks to its deep root system. During hot summers, water if the leaves begin to wilt.
Fertilizer
Not very demanding, the vetchling benefits from gentle fertilizer application in spring. Being a legume, it fixes its own nitrogen. Well-decomposed compost at the base in spring is generally sufficient to maintain its vigor.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (August-September) to control spread and encourage denser branching. Gently tie stems to a support (trellis, stake) to guide growth. Remove dead wood in late winter to rejuvenate the plant.
Pests and diseases
Wood vetchling is generally robust and rarely affected by diseases. Watch for aphids in fine weather and powdery mildew in cases of stagnant humidity. Promote air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
Wood vetchling was once cultivated as fodder in rural Europe, its protein-rich seeds providing valuable nutritional intake for livestock. Its name 'sylvestris' literally means 'of the forests' in Latin, reflecting its natural habitat in the woodlands and scrub of temperate central and western Europe.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.