A flower is reason enough to gather. The Society is an invitation to do just that.
the
society
The American Sweet Pea Society brings together people who share an interest in one of the garden's most enduring and beloved flowers.
Established to encourage the appreciation, cultivation, and preservation of sweet peas, the Society connects gardeners, growers, collectors, breeders, and enthusiasts throughout the United States and Canada. It provides a place for the exchange of knowledge, the discovery of varieties, and the continued celebration of a flower with a remarkable history and an ever-evolving future.
Our
Purpose
Sweet peas have been cultivated, collected, and bred for generations, producing an extraordinary range of colors, forms, and fragrances. Their history is shaped by the people who have grown them, developed new varieties, and passed their knowledge along.
The Society exists to support that tradition while encouraging its continued development. Through education, collaboration, and the sharing of horticultural knowledge, we aim to strengthen the community surrounding sweet peas and ensure that their diversity and history remain valued for generations to come.
Preservation &
Discovery
The preservation of sweet pea varieties is central to the Society's purpose. As varieties change, disappear from cultivation, or become difficult to identify, the knowledge surrounding them can be lost as well.
We believe that preserving these flowers means more than keeping seeds in circulation. It also means documenting their histories, recognizing the people responsible for their development, encouraging responsible stewardship, and making their diversity more accessible to future generations.
We are committed to supporting the discovery, identification, and preservation of sweet pea varieties, both established and newly introduced.
A Growing
Community
The Society welcomes everyone with an interest in sweet peas, from those planting their first seeds to experienced growers, collectors, breeders, and commercial CUT FLower and seed producers.
We believe that the continued appreciation of sweet peas depends upon the people who grow them and the knowledge they are willing to share. By bringing these individuals together across regions and generations, we hope to foster a more connected and informed community, while creating opportunities for the flower itself to continue evolving.
LOOKING AHEAD
The story of the sweet pea is still being written. New varieties continue to emerge, old favorites find their way back into gardens, and each generation of growers brings its own ideas, discoveries, and contributions.
The Society is actively developing an evolving national collection of sweet peas, bringing together varieties that represent the breadth, history, and continued development of the flower. Through the contributions of growers, breeders, and collectors, this work brings greater attention to the varieties cultivated across North America and helps document the people, places, and histories behind them.
The collection continues to grow through ongoing research, the rediscovery of historic varieties, and the introduction of new cultivars. Together, these efforts contribute to a living record of the sweet pea, preserving its diversity and making its history more accessible to generations of growers to come.
WHO WE ARE
The American Sweet Pea Society IS A 501c3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, guided by an advisory board whose members bring a broad range of experience and knowledge from across the horticultural and floral industries. Representing professional cut flower growers, seed producers, floral designers, breeders, and dedicated sweet pea enthusiasts, the board reflects the many ways in which sweet peas are grown, cultivated, studied, and enjoyed.
Together, their varied perspectives help guide the Society's work, inform its priorities, and support its ongoing efforts in education, preservation, and the advancement of sweet pea cultivation.