I have grown the "Cupani" variety pictured in your informative article. I can personally vouch for its intoxicating fragrance. I am intrigued by the history that goes along with it. There's a story about a Sicilian monk (Father Franciscus Cupani) who discovered it in the wild and sent seeds to Dutch and English botanists. I believe the year of discovery was 1695. Cupani has intense coloration and intense fragrance. Some research I came across indicated it is the most primitive form of sweet pea.
My garden would not be complete without Cupani. I also utilize shorter climbing "helpers" when vines are young, short thin bamboo stakes, aiding the seedlings in getting to the metal tuteur about one foot off the ground. It is easy to save one's own seeds and have the variety the following year. I am growing sweet peas in zone 6, eastern PA. I put seeds into the ground very early, late February, as well as starting some inside the house in late winter. My other favorite sweet pea for intense fragrance is "April in Paris", a creamy white variety sporting a blush of lavender along the edges. Really wonderful aroma, far reaching on a calm summer evening.
