Heirloom. Attractive sprays of scarlet and white edible flowers, loved by hummingbirds and butterflies, turn into young edible pods that are thick, meaty with an extra sweet flavor. Mellow flavored seeds can be cooked or left to dry for storing. Species originated in the mountains of central America and has been cultivated for over 2000 years. The Painted Lady Runner Bean is hardy to zone 7 but in cooler regions, you can dig up the roots and store for next season for earlier flowering.

25 seeds

PLANTING

Phaseolus coccineus

Germination:7-14 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 60-75F

Seed Sowing Depth:1 deep

Starting Indoors:2-3 weeks before the last frost.Sow 1-2 seeds per cell/pot. Provide 70-80Fsoil temperature.Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces rootdamage when transplanting. Transplant after last frost, 8-12″ apart.

Sowing Outdoors:After the last frost with soil temperatures above 55-60F.Sow 4-6 apart, thin to 8-12″. Planting in soil under 60Fresults in poor germination.

How much does a packet plant:8-10foot single row

Harvest:Young tender snap beans until they become fibrous;steamed, baked, boiled, or sauted. Young seeds can be shelled and cooked like lima beans. Dried beans take a long time to cook and can be soaked 6-8 hoursbeforecooking. Add the edible flowers to salads

Tips:Provide support with a trellis, fence, or poles. Keep beans harvested to encourage more flowers. Growin light, well-drained soil, provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods.Do not over-fertilize the Painted Lady Runner Bean with nitrogen, which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth. Addinginoculantat planting time aids in a larger harvest and more robust plants.