‘Social Climber’ is a tall, vigorous variety of sweet pea known for its long stems, abundant blooms and rich fragrance. As the name suggests, it’s a natural climber that loves to wind its way up trellises, fences, arches and obelisks. It’s the life of the garden party, putting on a show with its bright colours and delightful perfume while reaching for the sky. Expect to see deep purples, velvety reds, bright pinks, soft lavenders, creamy whites and gentle blues. These romantic shades look stunning when grown together, and the mix ensures you’ll always have a bouquet-worthy blend of blooms ready to pick.

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) have their roots in the Mediterranean, especially in southern Italy and Sicily, where they grew wild among the rocky terrain. Over centuries, plant breeders have developed many varieties, each with their own special traits. ‘Social Climber’ is a modern cultivar, bred for its strong climbing habit, sweet scent and long-stemmed flowers, making it ideal for cutting and vertical displays.

This variety is grown mainly for ornamental purposes. Its strong stems and large, fragrant flowers make it perfect for picking, whether you’re filling a vase, making a gift posy, or adding something special to a floral arrangement. In the garden, it’s perfect for vertical interest and can be trained to grow up just about anything — a fence, a tepee, a wire frame or even a rustic branch trellis. It also helps draw bees and butterflies into the garden, which makes it a lovely addition to veggie patches and flower beds alike.

How to Grow Sweet Pea ‘Social Climber’ – Step by Step

Sweet peas love cool weather to get started. In warmer regions of Australia, sow seeds in autumn or early winter. In cooler areas, early spring is a good time to plant. Sweet peas do best when planted before the heat of summer arrives.

Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. These plants love sunshine and benefit from being in a position where air can circulate freely. If you’re growing them in a pot, make sure to choose one deep enough to support their long roots and place a support structure in the pot for them to climb.

Before sowing, soak the seeds in water overnight. This softens the hard outer shell and helps them germinate more easily. Plant the seeds about two to three centimetres deep and space them ten to fifteen centimetres apart along your chosen support. Water the area well and keep the soil moist, especially during germination and early growth.

As the plants grow, gently tie them to your support if needed, or guide their tendrils along a trellis. Once flowers appear, pick them regularly to encourage more blooms. Sweet peas love to be harvested, and the more you pick, the more flowers they’ll produce.

Feed your plants with a liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks once flowering begins. They’ll reward you with longer stems and a steady supply of fresh blooms for your home.

Why Grow Sweet Pea ‘Social Climber’?

‘Social Climber’ is a joyful, fragrant climber that brings life, colour and movement to your garden. It’s ideal for gardeners who love vertical interest and want to fill their home with fresh, scented flowers straight from the garden. Whether you’re decorating an archway, covering a fence or simply creating a pretty backdrop, this sweet pea is a social star that adds beauty and fragrance wherever it goes.