Ascorbic acid was found to increase bud development in Pisum sativum L. The interactions of ascorbic acid with indole‐3‐acetic acid, kinetin and gibberellic acid were studied. It was found that ascorbic acid promoted bud growth and overcame the inhibitory effect of auxin. When applied with gibberellin, bud growth was greatly enhanced. Ascorbic acid promoted bud development in red light only; it did not in far‐red or dark.