Henry Thomas Sweet Pea Plants

• Variety: Henry Thomas
• Type: Spencer
• Colour: Rich crimson-scarlet with an internal warmth
• Scent: 1/5 (Parsons) — lightly fragrant; grow alongside scented varieties
• Flowers: Large, velvet-soft, beautifully frilled Spencer form. 3–4 per stem
• Stems: Long and strong — excellent for cutting
• Height: 180–200cm (6–7ft) with support
• Flowering: June well into autumn with regular picking
• RHS AGM: No
• Bred: Derek Heathcote, Eagle Sweet Peas, 2012
• Sold as: Jumbo plug plants, hand-sown by us
• Plant outdoors: After last frost
• Delivered: March to May by next-day courier

Henry Thomas – Rain-Proof Crimson

Deep-coloured sweet peas have always had one weakness in common: rain. A heavy shower can leave dark petals spotted, blotched, and bruised in a way that lighter varieties shrug off. Henry Thomas was bred specifically to solve that problem. Introduced in 2012 by Derek Heathcote of Eagle Sweet Peas and named after his grandson, it is a Spencer with rich, glowing crimson flowers that resist rain damage and hold their colour through whatever the British summer delivers.

The blooms are large, velvet soft, and beautifully frilled in the Spencer manner. The colour sits somewhere between crimson and dark scarlet — vividly cheerful rather than brooding, with an internal warmth that other dark reds often lack. In late-afternoon sun the petals appear to generate their own light.

Why Rain Resistance Matters

If you garden in the south-east and enjoy a reliably dry June, you probably don't worry about rain damage on sweet peas. For everyone else — which is most of the country — it is a genuine nuisance. Dark petals absorb water more readily than lighter ones, and the resulting spotting can ruin an otherwise perfect stem overnight. Henry Thomas sidesteps the problem entirely. After a downpour, its flowers look exactly as they did before, which for gardeners in the wetter regions of Britain makes it close to indispensable.

This practical benefit extends to cutting. Where other dark varieties must be rushed indoors the moment a shower threatens, Henry Thomas can stay on the plant until you are ready to harvest.

Companions for Henry Thomas

Deep crimson is a strong colour that benefits from contrast. Charlie's Angel (pale blue Spencer, AGM) creates an elegant pairing — the blue cools the heat of the red without dulling it. For heritage contrast, King's High Scent (intensely fragrant Grandiflora) and Lord Nelson (rich navy Grandiflora) both complement Henry Thomas with scent and depth — the Grandifloras contribute the perfume that Henry Thomas itself lacks, while the Spencer provides the big, rain-proof flowers.

The vivid crimson also makes a bold statement at the base of a rustic climbing rose — a white or blush climber like Madame Alfred Carrière gives you roses above and sweet peas below, both flowering through the same months.

Full growing instructions are in 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

What makes Henry Thomas different from other red sweet peas?

Rain resistance. Most dark-flowered sweet peas mark badly in wet weather; Henry Thomas was specifically bred to withstand rain damage without spotting or blotching.

How fragrant is Henry Thomas?

Honestly? Not very. Lightly scented at best — the strength of this variety lies in colour and weather resistance rather than perfume. Grow it next to a heavily fragrant companion and you get the best of both.

Who bred Henry Thomas?

Derek Heathcote of Eagle Sweet Peas, introduced in 2012 and named after his grandson.

Is Henry Thomas good for cutting?

Very good. Long stems, large flowers, and clean colour. The rain resistance means stems can stay on the plant until you are ready, rather than being rushed indoors at the first sign of a shower.

Does Henry Thomas come back each year?

No — annual. Plant afresh each spring from seed or from our seedlings.