The Creole pea is a native variety, probably brought here by the early French settlers. It is very vigorous and productive and is resistant to cold, heat, mildew, and root rot. Its size and quality are not as good as some later introductions; therefore, crosses have been made between Creole and some of the leading commercial varieties, such as Thomas Laxton, Laxtonian, and Telephone. Several promising selections have been made. To date, no seed is ready for distribution. 1937: Eight-year summary of horticultural investigations, Julian Creighton Miller.

Breeding of English Peas . . . Julian C. Miller

Not many of the standard commercial varieties of peas are suited to Louisiana. The Creole which has been grown in the southern part of this state since the time of the early French settlers is a very hardy variety, being resistant to both cold and heat and highly resistant to root rot. Most of the commercial varieties lack vigor, so to increase the vigor and develop hardy varieties the Creole variety was crossed with several of the standard varieties. The number of selections has been reduced now to 35 and one of these selections, the G 1-2, is being grown for increase. This is a cross between Creole and Thomas Laxton. The pods and peas are dark green in color and the plant possesses the vigor of Creole. In cooking and tasting test, comparing a number of seedlings and varieties, the G 1-2 proved to be superior in color, however, it is not as high in sugar as a number of the other selections. It begins fruiting near the ground and when grown on a trellis the vines reach a height of about five feet. The pods are 3 to 4 inches in length and set 7 to 8 medium size peas per pod. Soluble solids analyzed 14.2 per cent. Under the same conditions there were other seedlings that were as high as 16 per cent. The G 1-2 is about 10 days earlier than the Creole and about a week later than the Thomas Laxton. It is now being increased by two seed companies and seed should be available for release within the next year. Progress through agricultural research Louisiana 1942-1943: annual report.

Creole (PI 210609) was acquired through GRIN and grown out in 2022 and 2024 at the Northeast Research Station and Macon Ridge Research Station. Creole was grown out as a fall crop in 2022 and as a spring crop in 2024.Planted as a fall crop, Creole suffered under heavy frosts and freezes, with stunted the vines and reduced yield. The spring crop was planted after the threat of frost and produced healthy vines and beautiful, full pods. Plans are in place for more seed increase and evaluation of Creole in Spring 2025.