National Collection

The collection was started by Roger Parsons in 1991 when he offered to host a collection of Lathyrus species at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis whilst working for Arun District Council as Head of Parks and Landscape. It now holds about 1300 species and cultivars from around the world. Seed is kept in a seedbank and up to 10% of the collection is grown each year.

Roger had been attracted to a staging of annual Lathyrus species at the NSPS National Show in Southampton by Amy Andrews. She and her husband Ted supported Roger in building his collection. This collection grew and achieved National Collection status in 1993. Roger added Sweet Peas for their colour and became increasingly aware that good Sweet Peas were being lost for commercial reasons. He became attracted to more unconventional forms such as stripes, bicolours and flakes and learned from Keith Hammett how to store seed by freezing. The seedbank was started in 1998 and included early flowering and multiflora types, dwarf, semi-dwarf and non-tendril; the things that nobody else was growing. In 1996 Roger gave a talk to a conference in Cambridge organised by Plant Heritage. The National Collection was extended in 2005 to include L. odoratus cultivars.

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Roger says:

Keith Hammett taught me once that we are only custodians of germplasm for a short period. He likens it to a relay race. It is now time for me to pass the baton on to someone younger. I have known Phil Johnson for about 30 years and am confident he is the right person to take care of this valuable resource for future plant breeding.

Phil Johnson operates the retail business, English Sweet Peas, which now incorporates Roger Parsons Sweet Peas. Phil will maintain and add to the National Collection and ensure its significant contribution to Plant Heritage is maintained. We have already submitted our initial application to Plant Heritage to become the new custodians of the Collection begun by Roger. Next will be a visit from Plant Heritage and discussion around record keeping, availability of accessions and access to view examples from the Collection.

Phil says:

Roger’s contribution to the world of Sweet Peas has been immense and his commitment as the developer of the first Plant Heritage National Collection of Sweet Peas has made him the international oracle to consult on all things Lathyrus.

          I not only feel honoured to be taking on responsibility for this internationally significant collection, but also very aware of the seriousness of the task ahead.

I am pleased that Roger will continue to be available for advice on the maintenance of the Collection and we both look forward to growing some of the accessions that Roger has so far been unable to grow.

I am investigating opportunities to grow a selection of Lathyrus at our production site near Maldon, Essex, that I hope will be open to members on prearranged days. More details to follow.

I will continue the search for cultivars both new and old as well as adding material from our extensive breeding programme. Maintaining links with Roger’s network of contacts is another important aspect of the work ahead.

Exciting times!

Phil Johnson