Field beans, also known as runner beans, are not only popular because of their tasty fruits. They quickly climb up trellises and conquer garden fences and willow teepees. Their magnificent flowers in red, white or yellow make for a spectacular garden or balcony decoration.
How to successfully grow runner beans?
To grow runner beans successfully, choose a sunny to semi-shady location and sow the seeds directly in the garden soil. Be sure to provide climbing aid such as trellises or ropes. Harvest the pods regularly to stimulate flower production and encourage a bountiful harvest.
Fire beans – the robust among the bean varieties
Field beans are less sensitive to cold and moisture than bush and pole beans. The runner bean is therefore particularly advantageous in areas with a harsh climate and in springs with wet and cold weather.
So they cope better with colder soils than runner beans and do not need to be pre-germinated. However, you should choose a sunny to semi-shady location for growing them.
Fire beans as a vegetable
Depending on the variety, fire beans develop pods that are up to 30 cm long. They are primarily harvested as tender green beans. When fully ripe they can also be used as dry beans.
Fire beans conquer trellises and fences
With their long tendrils, runner beans quickly climb to heights of up to 7 meters. If the annual plants are sown directly on trellises, fences or the pergola, they form an attractive eye-catcher and privacy screen in just a few weeks.
If the runner bean is intended to serve primarily as a flowering privacy screen, the pods are removed regularly. This stimulates the runner bean to produce flowers again and again.
Fire beans – ideal as a container plant
As a potted plant on the balcony, the runner bean not only produces delicious fruits, it also serves as a flowering privacy screen. The beans are not suitable as a snack because they are poisonous when raw.
In order for the tendrils of the runner bean to find support, it needs a climbing aid. This can be a finished trellis or you can stretch weatherproof ropes vertically upwards.
The floral splendor of the runner bean
The runner bean shows its splendor of flowers from June to September. The most famous are the scarlet flowers. But white, red-white, salmon-colored and yellow flowers also enchant for many weeks.
The most beautiful runner bean varieties
- Lady Di: fiery red flowers, delicate, stringless pods
- Red-flowering: vigorous, long, fleshy pods, suitable for rough locations
- White Giants: pure white flowers, long, fleshy pods, grows up to 5 meters
Tips & Tricks
The red and white flowering runner bean Hestia has a rather low, bushy habit. It is therefore ideal for hanging baskets and hanging baskets. The overhanging runner bean can be sown or harvested late and is suitable for rough locations.
