scarlet runner beans

[Carol Dee]

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These are so COOL. I planted them in a corner of the fence for the red blooms for the hummingbirds. DH broke open a dry pod to find these. Can they be saved to plant next spring? If so how? Are they edible?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes to both questions. Scarlet runners are a favorite bean crop in the UK, used both for green beans and as dried beans. I grew them in 2010 and was fairly disappointed. They did not produce well at all, but they did make good green beans. I also used the "shelly" beans in soup. There just were not many of them. I think it was too hot and dry for good production here.

 

[RidgebackRanch]

They should be ok to plant next year and not be weird crossbreeds. If you want a REALLY pretty pole bean for attracting pollinators try Ruby Moon Hyacinth Bean. They are not edible but are very beautiful and the seeds can be save from season to season and still produce true.

 

[Carol Dee]

They should be ok to plant next year and not be weird crossbreeds. If you want a REALLY pretty pole bean for attracting pollinators try Ruby Moon Hyacinth Bean. They are not edible but are very beautiful and the seeds can be save from season to season and still produce true.

I will have to look for these. Thanks for the hint.

 

[ninnymary]

I also planted these for the first time. I didn't particulary like them as green beans. I prefer the regular green beans. The seeds are beautiful and my preschoolers love to use them on their collages. We planted them for the hummingbirds but I was alittle disappointed in that they weren't as beautiful as I expected. I will still probably plant them again next year along with those RidgebackRanch recommended.

Mary

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Here are a couple of picutres of the Hyacinth Bean I mentioned.

I could not find any pictures of the Scarlet Runner Beans from last year though. I do think they grow better when planted after the soil is thoroughly warmed, which means planting them a little later than you may think. Around here pole beans seem to take forever to do anything and then all of a sudden they grow like crazy. Hope this helps.

 

[ninnymary]

RidgebackRanch, does the Hyacinth bean flower stand out more than the scarlet runner? It looks like it does but I'm not sure if it's just the picture. That's what I didn't particularly like about the scarlet. I thought the flower was kind of hard to see.

Mary

 

[Carol Dee]

RidgeBackRanch, those are really pretty. Thanks for the photo. I might just have to plant BOTH!

 

[Kassaundra]

That looks similar to the wisteria, wonder if they are related?

Not the leaves, but the flowers are reminicent of wisteria.

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Hi Mary, Scarlet Runner Beans are more like other pole beans. THe Hyacinth Bean is different in that the blooms form at the end of the "vines". When are really happy and healthy they look as though they could cut used as a cut flower.

I was tempted this season but couldn't bring myself to actually do it beacuse they were so beautiful in the garden. By the way it is strictly ornamental as the beans are toxic.