Henrik Norbeck's Plant Culture

Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)

Also called scarlet runner bean or multiflora bean. Often grown for its decorative flowers. The flowers can be white, red, red and white or pink. The seeds of most varieties are purple with black dashes, but there are also varieties with white seeds, white seeds with brown dashes, black seeds or brown seeds. The seeds are larger than those of the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris. Most varieties of runner beans are climbing and need support from 2-3 meter long poles. The tender green pods can be eaten boiled and cut into pieces. The mature seeds are eaten as dry beans, soaked overnight and then boiled. All runner beans, both fresh and dried, must be boiled before eating.