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 identificationMore than 500 sweet pea cultivars and 25 other Lathyrus cultivars illustrated and fully describedDetailed history of the introduction of the sweet pea and other Lathyrus into gardensAn account of sweet pea breeders and how they developed the sweet pea into its many modern typesThe botany and classification of the genus, including its world distribution and habitatsThe history and crop uses of Lathyrus around the worldA checklist of around 1,200 cultivar names, 700 scientific names and 400 raisers and nurseriesAdvice on cultivation and the best ways to use sweet peas and other Lathyrus in gardens
