Lathyrus. It sounds like a secret from a Greek myth, doesn’t it? But it’s one you can hold, smell, and pick yourself at several u-pick farms across the Netherlands, from June to September. Also known as the sweet pea, lathyrus is that utterly charming, ruffled flower that looks like it’s wearing a tiny, satin party dress. And yes, you can go snip your own bundle. Grab a pair of garden scissors, a bucket with a splash of water, and a friend or two. It’s the kind of afternoon activity that turns into a laughter-filled photo session.

When you’re in the field, look for stems with one or two open blooms and a few buds at the top. That way, your flowers keep opening at home like a slow-motion magic trick. Snip early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the air is cooler—they’ll last longer. Cut above the lowest two or three leaf nodes and leave the lower leaves on the plant. Don’t be shy: as long as you don’t strip it bare, the plant keeps flowering. Handle the flowers gently, as they bruise easily.

At home: a flower’s second life

Once you’ve got your armful of pastel pinks, purples, and creams, give the stems a fresh diagonal cut and pop them in a clean vase with lukewarm water. Strip off any leaves that would sit below the waterline (they rot). Change the water daily and keep the vase in a cool spot out of direct sunlight, and they’ll perfume your kitchen or bedroom with a honey-sweet, slightly spicy scent for three to five days.

Now, for some flower-power fun: go beyond the vase.

  • Tiny bouquet favours: Tie small bunches with jute or ribbon, and place one at each dinner plate. Instant garden party.
  • Pressed flower art: Place blossoms between sheets of wax paper inside a heavy book. After a week, use them to decorate cards, notebooks, or even a plain lampshade. You’ll feel like a Victorian botanist, but with better lighting.
  • Floating bowl centrepiece: Fill a shallow glass bowl with water, float the flower heads (without stems), and add a few tea lights. It’s low-effort, high-impact—and your dinner guests will think you hired a florist.

No cooking recipes here: lathyrus is not for eating. Despite the name, the sweet pea is not the garden pea, and its seeds, pods and leaves are toxic to people and pets. Keep it for your eyes and nose, and fill your home with flowers you picked yourself. Go on—pick yourself a sweet pea day.