Shortly after Easter she planted a few Carlins which she had purchased from the grocer to eat.

The peas were planted in spring, just the same way as one would plant any other pea. The resultant 6 foot pea plants have just bloomed in the last week of June.

The Carlin pea flower is small and delicate, typical of the pea family, with a pale, almost translucent lilac upper (banner) petals and a rich wine or burgundy wings and keel.

The opposing leaves of the Carlin plant are almost heart shaped, unlike the oval shape of cultivated peas.

Deep veining is prominent in both the flower and the leaves.

Much like sweet peas, the Carlin pea does require something to grow up, as these plants in Lancashire have currently reached around 6 feet or more.

Audrey is going to keep us posted on their progress

Carlins are associated with the North and Especially North East of England where they often eaten on Passion Sunday.  Legend has it, that they saved many Northumbrians from starvation during the Civil war of 1644.

Now classified as a heritage or Heirloom variety, Carlin or Maple Peas can still be obtained and grown from seed.

Planted and grown in much the same way as Sweet Peas, the plants can reach an average height of about six foot, bearing beautiful white and lilac flowers.

If given full sun and plenty of water, the crop quite prolifically.  The seeds can be used fresh or allowed to ripen and dried for storage.

Many heritage varieties of seed are not available for public sale due to licencing leglisaltion but these seeds are available to members of the Heritage Seed Library.

or from seed exchange websites.