Grow Sweet Peas

Scent, frilly blossoms and romantic colors who wouldn’t want sweet peas in the garden. Plant seeds now for this easy-to-grow annual and enjoy girlie bouquets by spring. Renee Shepherd of Renee's Garden likes these varieties for San Diego gardens.

• April in Paris it's our most fragrant,Shepherd says. Creamy yellow flowers are blushed with lavender that deepens with age.
• Zinfandel. Ruffled blossoms are deep burgundy.
• Blue Celeste This British-bred variety is the pale blue of a winter sky.
• Jack & Jill Soft blue and salmon-rose flowers cover this knee-high (3 feet) mix ideal for containers.
• Queen of Hearts Another mix of Valentine-pretty red, burgundy and cream.

Give sweet peas good air circulation and excellent drainage. And remember, the more flowers you pick, the more you'll get, Shepherd says. Order seeds and find detailed growing instructions at www.reneesgarden.com.