Do Sweet Peas need a trellis?

People I talk to, often say But I don't have a trellis, or I'd need another one." The thing is, we're brought up to believe that Sweet Peas need trellises to be happy. OK, they look stunning on trellises, but they are also content, climbing along the ground or over it. They'll climb up you too, if you stand still long enough.

I had a bed with no trellises and seeds to sow. I planted my seedlings and arranged the weedgunnel around them, to keep them as weed free as possible(we are all time poor) and it helps to keeps the plants clean. Weedgunnel is like heavy duty chux. It will last about 3 years especially if you mulch on the top. If you have to pull it up, just be careful as it will tear(experience speaking, here). You can cut holes in the weedgunnel, if that's your preferred way. I anchored the weedgunnel (no-one wants to see their Sweet Peas ripped out by flying carpet style weedgunnel. 

They grew, they scrambled along the ground, they put up flower stems and voila, a beautiful 'meadow' of Sweet Peas. If you have some logs or rocks, they'll do the same thing and I just love that unstructured look.

Flower stems reach for the sky, so you have lots of blooms to pick. I love those unruly gardens where everything grows together, (bit like how my brain works). I may have straight trellises, but my Sweet Peas for the best part, ignore my careful planning. I'm going to win the war this year. Minimal tagging of vines for identification, is the goal. Anyway, food for thought as we edge closer to Sweet Pea sowing season.
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