What a surprise! Did these the bright beans catch your eye?
The bright, purple and pink hues of scarlet runner beans are certainly unique. Although, the coloring is far from the only unique trait about this eclectic plant…
Scarlet runner beans also boast bright, red-orange flowers and pointed leaf clusters, which can grow between 6-18 feet tall! Even their light-green bean pods can grow up to 1 foot in length!
Growing Scarlet Runner Beans: Scarlet runner beans are perennial, meaning they naturally regrow every year. They naturally grow in higher elevations in the United States, Central America, and Mexico, within rich, warm soil. Netting, fences and trellises are often used to support and guide the tall plant, as it begins to sprout tall. After two months, scarlet runner beans will be at their snap stage, and 1-2 months after that, they’ll be fully developed!
Every morning, starkly red buds burst into tiny, curling flowers in small groups, amongst the plant’s large, trifoliate leaves. When planted, any garden will be bustling with hummingbirds and bees who are drawn to the bright red flowers!
Harvesting Scarlet Runner Beans: Luckily, just about every part of this plant is edible with the right preparation! Of course, the colorful, yet tough, scarlet runner beans are the go-to pick…but they do require a long prep and cooking process after drying. The light-green bean pods are also snack-worthy, before they become too dense and fibrous. And don’t forget the flowers, roots, and young leaves, which are also tasty- especially in salads!
Scarlet runner bean plants are amazingly unique in more ways than one!
Citations:
susan.mahr, W. by. (n.d.). Scarlet runner bean, phaseolus coccineus. Wisconsin Horticulture. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/scarlet-runner-bean-phaseolus-coccineus/
Various. (2020). Southern exposure seed exchange, saving the past for the future. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.southernexposure.com/products/scarlet-runner-bean/
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