Lathyrus

About this book

The fifth in the acclaimed series of RHS Horticultural Monographs, Lathyrus: The Complete Guide reveals the fascinating horticulture, botany and history of the sweet pea and its many attractive relatives. Lathyrus is a genus for all gardeners, from the dainty woodland species of spring to the spectacular summer sweet peas – this book covers them all.

– All 150 species described in detail with 95 photographs, plus a key to aid identification
– More than 500 sweet pea cultivars and 25 other Lathyrus cultivars illustrated and fully described
– Detailed history of the introduction of the sweet pea and other Lathyrus into gardens
– An account of sweet pea breeders and how they developed the sweet pea into its many modern types
– The botany and classification of the genus, including its world distribution and habitats
– The history and crop uses of Lathyrus around the world
– A checklist of around 1,200 cultivar names, 700 scientific names and 400 raisers and nurseries
– Advice on cultivation and the best ways to use sweet peas and other Lathyrus in gardens

Biography

Roger Parsons owns a Lathyrus nursery, Roger Parsons Sweet Peas, near Chichester in West Sussex, where he also holds a National Plant Collection of the genus. He is the author of (2011) and was Chairman of the National Sweet Pea Society from 2017 to 2020.

Greg Kenicer is based at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is a specialist in wild Lathyrus diversity. He did a PhD on the South American species and, with international collaborators, has studied the biogeography, evolution and taxonomy of Lathyrus. He also oversees a National Plant Collection of the genus held at RBGE.