Bean 'White Lady'
Phaseolus coccineusAn outstanding edible ornamental, 'White Lady' is considered the Queen of all runner beans, making an impressive seasonal statement when grown over an arch or up a support. Producing a mass of lovely white flowers followed by delicious crops of beans, pick regularly to keep plants productive. Stringless, with thick succulent pods, when picked young. An English variety which sets beans well, even in warmer areas, this highly productive and beautiful climber needs support, and regular water. Harvest regularly to extend your season, as if pods are left to mature on the vine, cropping will slow.
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Bean 'White Lady'
Originally donated to The Diggers Club by Mrs June Ling who could trace the lineage of her seed back to 1975 where it was grown in the Field Service Department of Edgell's in Devonport. This seed was shared by then Field Officer Peter Daw with his neighbour (June's cousin), Des Sutton, who then shared it with June for her garden in Ulverstone, Tasmania, where she had been growing it every since. When runner beans lost favour with gardeners, The Diggers Club put the seed in our seed bank, and Clive and Penny kept some seeds for themselves to grow in their own garden. It is from their personal collection and seed from our seed vault that we have been fortunate to re-release this world-renowned heirloom runner bean.
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.