Those looking for more privacy at home without resorting to high walls or heavy structures can find sweet peas a practical, beautiful and fragrant solution. According to biologist and landscaper Pit Passi, the vine is distinguished by the fact that it quickly “dresses” screens, fences and trellises, forming a seasonal hedge in a few weeks.
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Growing rapidly in periods of mild weather, the plant first creates a green mass then, shortly after, a veritable wall of flowers. The result is high ornamental impact without the visual – or structural – weight of woody vines.
“It is ideal for those who want temporary privacy combined with fragrant flowering, which can take place in autumn, winter or spring, depending on the region,” explains the expert.
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The striking aroma is one of the great attractions of sweet peas, but Pit issues an important warning: the scent should not be considered a foolproof repellent. “It doesn’t work as a guaranteed natural insecticide,” he says. In practice, the effect is indirect. Fragrant flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, making the garden more balanced. Additionally, volatile compounds released by the plant can influence the behavior of certain insects, attracting some and confusing others.
“Perfume is a plus and ecology, not a direct fight against pests,” he summarizes.
For the hedge to form in a healthy manner, some care is essential. Sweet peas need four to six hours of direct sun per day, preferably morning sun in warmer regions. The soil should be fertile and well drained, never compacted, and watering should be constant, maintaining humidity without waterlogging. Another key point is staking from an early age: trellises, fences or wires help guide the branches and prevent the plant from breaking.
Ventilation also makes a difference. Very sultry environments favor fungi, while excess nitrogen fertilizer stimulates leaves to the detriment of flowers. Pit recommends moderate fertilization, with more phosphorus and potassium during the flowering phase, in addition to cleaning pruning to remove spent flowers and extend the flowering period.
Choose the right time: plant in the mildest period in your region (in much of Brazil, autumn/early winter)
How to plant sweet peas
Planting should be carried out at the mildest time of the year. Before sowing, the rule is to prepare the support and the soil, mixing the soil, organic compost and drainage material. The seeds go into shallow holes, two or three per place, and after thinning, only the strongest seedlings remain. Keeping the soil moist until germination and guiding the young branches towards the support ensures a good start.
As it is an annual plant, renewal is part of the process. After producing seeds, the sweet pea completes its cycle and dries. To preserve the beautiful hedge for longer, the expert’s advice is to focus on staggered sowing, planting new sections every two or three weeks. Thus, the garden remains flowery, fragrant and visually protected for longer.
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