runner bean 'Painted Lady'

runner bean

• Position: full sun
• Soil: deep and fertile with reliable moisture
  
  A Victorian variety that's been making a well-deserved comeback as gardeners rediscover its reliability, productivity and beauty – the plant has bicoloured flowers in red and white, making it decorative enough to plant among your flowers. The medium-length pods have a rich, full flavour and are produced over a long season if picked regularly. The flowers are edible too and make a colourful garnish.
  
  
• Growing Instructions:Choose a spot in full sun with the richest soil you can provide: dig in plenty of well-rotted organic matter before planting. From late spring sow seeds direct 5cm deep and about 20cm apart and support with sturdy hazel bean poles. Protect seedlings from slugs and squash blackfly as soon as they appear on shoot tips. Pinch out the leading shoots of runner beans when they reach the tops of their supports so they concentrate on making more beans instead of heading skywards.
  
  
• Sow: April-June
  
  
• Harvest: July-October
  
  
• Approximate quantity: 45 seeds.