does anyone recognize this sweet pea leaf problem

My cupid rose sweet pea has finally given me a few blooms, but it also has produced quite a few grayish, papery leaves. Does anyone know what might cause a sweet pea leaf to shrivel like this?

Hello Heidi,

I can't identify what's ailing your plant, but I'll bet if you grow sweet peas in the cooler time of your year, they'll be less prone to have problems like this one.

I notice you are in zone 8b, which I suspect is too hot to try to flower sweet peas at this time of year. That flower goes crazy in Massachusetts with its cooler summers where my grandmother gardened.

I read somewhere a while ago that in warmer zones, sweet peas can be started in the fall, wintered in a cold frame and flowered much sooner than May.

hope this helps

karen