Broad-leaved vetchling

Family Fabaceae. A perennial ornamental plant from Southeastern Europe, introduced into cultivation as early as the 16th century. It grows on forest edges and in shrubs in the southern part of European Russia and in Crimea. This ornamental perennial herbaceous climber is often called the perennial sweet pea. Although they are indeed close relatives, the flowers of this vetchling, unfortunately, are scentless.

A perennial herbaceous plant. Stems up to 200-400 cm long, climbing, attached to supports by means of tendrils. Leaves with a single pair of oblong-oval, whitish-beneath leaflets. Flowers large, bright rose-carmine or white, grouped 3-10 in loose, raceme-like inflorescences located in the axils of the leaves. Blooms from June for 80-90 days. Vigorous growth, densely leaved shoots and abundant colourful flowering allow the vetchling to compete even with clematis. It's a pity it cannot boast a wide variety of colours, but the full range of pinks is also quite attractive.

Propagated by seed and by dividing the clump. However, it poorly tolerates transplantation when mature; annual seedlings establish better. Seeds are scarified, attempting to scratch the hard coat, or briefly soaked in a small amount of water just to swell. The plant is winter-hardy to -29°C. It overwinters without shelter.

The vetchling can become an ornament of the garden if planted on a lawn or by a house wall. From it you can make living garlands and cones in flower beds, flowering walls and screens.

Propagation: Seeds are fairly large, covered with dense coats. If the coverings are intact they retain viability for up to 10 years even at room temperature. If the coat is damaged the seeds perish within a year. Scarification (breaking the seed coverings) is necessary for germination. The simplest method is soaking in warm, almost hot water. Swollen or germinated seeds are sown either in their permanent place or grown on in pots. Seedlings are undemanding and develop quickly. Vegetative methods of propagation are complex and are rarely used in practice. The root system is deep and branched, which makes transplantation difficult.

Uses: for vertical greening, in group plantings on a lawn where a support is available, and for cutting for small bouquets.