FRESH PICK WHAT TO PLANT THIS WEEK SWEET PEA (LATHYRUS).

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

'SWEET PEA'' is a fitting term of endearment for little girls, as the botanical sweet pea is a charming little Italian flower with a sense of adventure. Disguised as dainty tissue-thin pastel posies, they can rapidly climb almost anything in sight - from traditional trellises to magnolia trees.

One of winter's little beauties, sweet peas are related to the peas we eat. They are used in honey and perfume and also attract birds and butterflies to your garden. To enjoy them through the spring, you need to plant now as they'll quickly start blooming and climbing, says Larry Ruoho, one of the gardening experts at Sperling's Nursery in Calabasas.

VARIETIES AVAILABLE: There are more than 1,000 varieties to choose from in perennial (latifolius) or annual (odorantus) as well as early flowering (multifloral), spring flowering (Cubertson's floribunda), summer flowering (such as Galaxy and Plenti-flora) and the numerous heirloom varieties, which are best-known for their fragrance. Among them is ``Painted Lady,'' a rose-and-white flower that dates back to the 18th century.

Most sweet peas grown by Southern California gardeners are of the odorantus variety and are climbers with sturdy stems in a variety of heights. In addition to the standard 6-footers, there are shrubby types that grow from a mere 8 inches tall to 3 feet. If you prefer the shorter types, look for names such as Cupid and Knee-Hi at local nurseries.

GETTING STARTED: Serious gardeners and fans of sweet peas will often plant from seeds that were started in early winter, but most of us will be getting them in gallon cans at the nursery. To plant, Ruoho says to look for a spot that will get full or partial sun. Then dig a hole that is twice as wide and half again as deep as the plant. Amend the soil with planting/potting soil, then water when finished. Once it's planted, immediately add support (strings, wires or little trellis) to start training the vines to climb or weave, but keep supports away from walls to ensure good air circulation, he adds. If you are using a free-standing trellis, it's best to have it run north and south.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE: They're easy to care for, require regular watering and some sort of bait for the snails and slugs that will feast on them. If the plant gets enough sun without freezing at night, it should continue blooming through May in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. To promote blooms, cut spent flowers (deadheads) at least every other day and feed once a month.

LANDSCAPING TIPS: Although most gardeners like sweet peas for their ability to climb up a garden wall or fence, they mix well with pansies, snapdragons and Iceland poppies, the kind with crinkled papery petals in bright orange, yellow or pink. Sweet peas also will do well in a pot with a trellis on the patio as long as there is enough sun and good drainage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Consult your nurseryman, Southern California Garden Club at [phone] or ``Sunset Western Garden Book'' (Sunset; $32.95). You can also learn more about sweet peas from the 100-year-old Sweet Pea Society in England at www.sweetpeas.org.uk/main.html. To order old-fashioned varieties of seeds, contact Select Seeds at www.selectseeds.com or www.thompson-morgan.com.

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