Bean 'Scarlet Runner'
Brilliant scarlet orange flowers. First described in 1750. Tasty pods can be used sliced or enjoyed steamed and the wine pink seed can be used as a dried winter bean. Runner beans also make an excellent cover crop if left to trail across the ground under fruit trees.
Runner beans are also known as seven year beans as they die back in autumn to re-emerge the next spring. Preferring cool climates, runner beans will not set pods when temperatures soar over 30 degrees and are best planted in the shade in warmer districts. These beans need cross pollination, so plant them with bee attracting plants such as lavender, borage and thyme. They crop heavily in late summer and autumn. All runner beans are climbers, so they will need some form of support.