Phaseolus coccineus
DESCRIPTION
Pole bean with red flowers that attract humming birds and butterflies.
PROVENANCE
This seed has been grown in Oshkosh since 2020; it was originally acquired from Seed Savers Exchange.
GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS
Sow 1-inch deep mid-May to mid-June. Needs support of trellis or netting and protection from rabbits. If the early season is wet, slugs can be a problem for legume seedlings. See our guide to organic pest control.
SEED SAVING INSTRUCTIONS
Leave pods to dry and harvest at end of season; shell to reveal dry purple beans. Will cross with other runner beans within 500 feet, but will not cross with common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). For more information, see our guide to legume species.
CULINARY USES
Beans can be eaten as green bean, fresh shelled, or left to dry and shelled as a dry storage bean. To cook the dry beans, soak overnight and simmer until tender or use a pressure cooker.
PRESERVING YOUR HARVEST
Green beans or fresh shelled beans can be blanced and frozen. We store most of our runner beans as dry bean–a beautiful source of protein for the winter.