Black Pod Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)

I chose these runner beans as part of my selection from the Heritage Seed Library (HSL) in 2012 and they have become a favourite here the last couple of years. They may not be the longest podded beans and they do get stringy if left not picked young, yet they have a distinct charm about them that I love. 

The variety was received by HSL from Jane Bygott and is an Heirloom variety from Bridgenorth in Shropshire having been grown there for the last one hundred years. "The beans were passed to Jane by her aunt Mary, who still grew a few beans up a trellis in the corner of her garden when she was in her nineties." HSL Catalogue

Underside leaf ribs are red, which adds to their beauty

Flowers are a gorgeous intense red.

Young beans already with a tip coloured burgundy red.

As you can see, loved by bees too!

Just getting into the swing of it.

Pods develop a lovely colour as they grow, these are ready for picking.

Pods left to ripen on the vine.

Smallish sized seeds.

Some of next seasons crop.

Heritage Library Seeds (HSL)

I’m a member of HSL which is run by Garden Organics (as long as I remember to renew my annual membership!) As a member I can choose up to 6 packs of Heritage seeds from their catalogue Join the Heritage Seed Library 

I received my selection of seeds from the HSL a couple of days ago. I’m pleased to have all my first choices;

Bangladeshi Lablab beans, these are white flowered, I've only grown the pink ones before.

Syrian Black broad beans, donated to HSL by Jaap Vlaming. The dried seeds do look black and are about the smallest broadbean seeds I’ve ever seen, they are pea size!

Williams Tiger climbing French bean

Poletschka a climbing French bean, I’m really looking forward to growing these a description can be found here Adaptive Seeds

John's Purple carrot, was apparently found in a bag of carrots for a rabbit! John's Purple Carrot - HSL description

Afghan Purple carrot, they look very pretty but can have some tendency to split!

For my Lucky dip I received Magpie dwarf beans beans.