Runner beans are amongst our most popular vegetables. They are relatively easy to grow and have attractive flowers that come in red, white, pink and red and white. Originally brought to Britain from the Americas during Tudor times, they were first grown as ornamental climbers. Here is a short guide to six varieties proven to be best for those gardeners who grow their own vegetables.
Although runner beans are relatively easy to grow, they need bees to pollinate them, unlike French beans. With a decline of bees in our gardens a range of runner/French bean cross varieties have now been developed which don't need pollinating by bees. This means they can be grown in a greenhouse for the first time for either earlier crops or a guaranteed crop during a poor summer. 'Moonlight' is the first runner bean to have been crossed with a French bean. It has attractive white flowers that are self-pollinating.
'Firestorm' is another runner/French bean cross. It has red flowers and short straight pods that give a good crop during August. It is slightly shorter that most other varieties, growing to only 1.8m tall. All red flowered runner beans have pink seeds that are speckled with black. 'White Lady' is a heavy cropper with white flowers. It is a vigorous plant with long and very pale green pods. As with all white-flowered varieties, its seeds are also white in colour.
'Aintree' is a red-flowered variety with attractive pink-speckled seed pods. It has an open growing habit which means that the pods are easy to spot amongst the foliage. Its beans are a pretty green with red flecks and not at all stringy. 'Red Flame' has extremely decorative red flowers and is a very prolific cropper. It has long slim pods that are dark green in colour and easy to spot. Lastly, 'Wey' is a white flowered variety that also gives a good crop. Its pods are broad and rough skinned but not stringy. It will crop easily into October if the conditions are right.
Growing runner beans
Funnily enough what most gardeners worry about most with runner beans is having too many! If you want to avoid this then don't grow too many in the first place. Twelve plants should provide plenty of beans for a small household. Runner beans like a moisture retentive soil, so digging in plenty of organic matter before planting will help keep the moisture in. Runner bean seeds can be planted directly into the ground but be careful when you plant as young plants can be susceptible to late frosts. Alternatively plants seeds indoors in individual pots and plant out young seedlings once the threat of frost has passed. Once the plants have reached the top of their supports, nip out the tips to encourage them to bush out below. Runner beans can also be successfully grown in large garden planters using a wigwam of canes for support.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
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