Gwendoline Sweet Pea Plants

• Variety: Gwendoline
• Type: Spencer
• Colour: White with a deep rose-pink edge
• Scent: 4/5 (Parsons) – warm and carrying
• Flowers: Large, heavily frilled. 4 blooms per stem typical
• Stems: Extra-long and straight – exhibition quality
• Height: 2.4m (8ft) with support
• Flowering: June to September with regular picking
• RHS AGM: Yes
• Bred by: Bernard Jones
• Sold as: Jumbo plug plants, hand-sown by us
• Plant outdoors: After last frost
• Delivered: March to May by next-day courier

Gwendoline – The Spencer That Sets the Standard

If you asked an exhibitor to design a sweet pea from scratch – big flowers, long stems, reliable colour, strong scent, and a habit that fills a vase without needing a florist – they would probably end up with something close to Gwendoline. The flowers are white with a deep rose-pink edge that bleeds inward like watercolour on wet paper. They are large, heavily frilled, and carried on stems that are among the longest in the Spencer class. Four blooms per stem is standard, each one properly ruffled and held well apart.

Gwendoline is bred by Bernard Jones and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, which for a sweet pea means it has been independently tested and confirmed to do what the catalogue says it will do. In this case, that means vigorous growth to 2.4m (8ft), a long and generous flowering season, and cut flowers that hold their colour and form in water for days.

Exhibition Pedigree, Garden Temperament

The show bench likes Gwendoline for the obvious reasons – stem length, flower count, petal quality. The NSPS classifies it as a bicolour, and it ticks every technical box that judges look for. But what makes it equally good in a garden is that it does not need exhibition conditions to perform. Ordinary soil, a sunny spot, something sturdy to climb, and regular picking will give you results that look far more accomplished than the effort involved.

The pink-and-white colouring has a slightly vintage feel – closer to a hand-tinted postcard than a modern print. Against darker varieties it stands out sharply. Against pastels it blends without disappearing. This versatility is why it works as well in a mixed bunch as it does on a show bench. A handful of Gwendoline with some sprigs of clary sage or blue-flowered rosemary would make a beautiful table arrangement.

Pairing Ideas

For a contrast that makes both varieties sing, pair Gwendoline with Windsor (deep maroon) – the pink-edged white against saturated claret is one of those combinations that looks designed. For tonal harmony, Mollie Rilstone (cream with a pink picotee) picks up the same palette in a different register, and the two together have a soft, romantic quality.

Add Blue Velvet for a cooler note and you have a three-variety scheme that covers a wide range without clashing. On an obelisk or trellis, Gwendoline also pairs naturally with clematis – a purple variety like The President or Gipsy Queen flowering alongside the pink-and-white sweet pea would be a striking sight. For growing and training advice, see our sweet pea growing guide.

Why Buy Your Sweet Pea Seedlings from Ashridge?

We have been growing sweet peas in Somerset since the early 2000s. The seed - which we collect - is hand-sown at two seeds per plug and the weaker seedling is removed. Every plant is then pinched out to encourage bushy growth and hardened off before dispatch. What you are buying are sturdy, garden-ready jumbo plug plants that have had the best possible start.

We send your sweet peas out by next-day courier between March and May, packed in purpose-designed recycled cardboard packaging. The moment they arrive, they are ready to go into the ground or a container. If anything is not right, we have real people on the phone in Somerset who will sort it out. We hold a Feefo Platinum Service Award and have been named a Which? Best Buy plant supplier — endorsements that came from our customers, not our marketing team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Gwendoline hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit?

Yes. It has been independently assessed and recommended by the RHS as a reliable, well-performing garden variety – which, for a sweet pea, means consistent flower quality, good vigour, and a decent season.

Is Gwendoline good for exhibition?

One of the strongest exhibition Spencers in our range. Extra-long stems, large well-formed flowers, and consistent colour make it a regular at NSPS shows and local competitions. If you are entering sweet peas for the first time, Gwendoline is a safe bet.

How scented is Gwendoline?

More than you might expect from such a showy flower – rated 4 out of 5 by specialist growers. The scent is warm and carrying. A few stems in a vase will fill a room gently over an evening.

Can I grow Gwendoline in a pot?

Yes, though it is a tall, vigorous plant, so use a generous container – at least 4 litres of compost per plant – with a sturdy support. Keep it well watered and feed with a high-potash fertiliser once buds form. Our pots guide covers the detail.

Do sweet peas come back every year?

No – annuals, one season. Gwendoline will flower from June to September and then it is finished. The perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius) returns reliably but has no scent. Browse this year's annual varieties in our sweet pea collection.