About Us

English Sweet Peas has been producing sweet pea seeds here in Maldon, Essex since the 1990s and now offers the amateur gardener the opportunity to buy directly from us. English Sweet Peas has recently joined forces with Johnson Sweet Peas, and we are run by Phil Johnson, a self-confessed “sweet pea nut”. Phil, when asked which is his favourite sweet pea normally answers “all of them” or “whichever I saw last”. Phil is assisted by a small team who dig, plant, fertilise, weed, tie in, harvest and test the seeds. The seeds are mostly grown in greenhouses to give some protection from our variable weather and the pods are harvested by hand. The seed lots are all germination tested to ensure you get the highest quality product.

Whether you already know your favourite, want to try something completely new, or have never grown sweet peas before, this website should have something for you. Everything we sell should be as suitable for the beginner as the enthusiast.

Phil also creates exciting, new sweet pea varieties often with new patterns and colours. From time to time these are available to purchase to name for a loved one or to mark an event.

Meet the team

Phil Johnson – managing director and breeder.

photo courtesy of Bjarne Staehr

Zoe Johnson – part of both the Johnson family and the English Sweet Pea family, Zoe is usually to be found in one of the glasshouses hands-on with the plants. When she’s inside she will be processing orders, shelling seeds and germination testing.

Odette Hickey – has been with English Sweet Peas since 2009 and works alongside Zoe doing all the practical work and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.

Cathy Ovenden – since 2006 has been involved with all aspects of the business and now focuses on accounts, admin and the website.

Our harvest team – when seeds are ripening and the pods are popping, we couldn’t manage without our fabulous team of student helpers. Over the years we’ve loved having you here - Steph, Chez, Joe, Ada, Emily, Liv, Ruby, Lily, Ellen, Emma, Milly, Martin, Max, George and hopefully many more of you to come.