Silver Cloud Cannellini Bush Bean is a Washington State University improved white kidney bean bred for high yields and disease resistance. This bush variety grows just 20 inches tall but produces abundant meaty beans perfect for drying or harvesting at the shell stage. In hardiness zones 3 through 11, it reaches harvest in 95 days, making it accessible to most North American gardeners. The beans are a cornerstone of Italian cooking, bringing rich texture and mild flavor to soups and traditional dishes.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
20in H x 8in W
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Moderate
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Bred specifically for superior yields and disease resistance, Silver Cloud combines the culinary excellence of cannellini beans with the practical convenience of a compact bush habit. The beans develop a wonderfully meaty texture whether you harvest them fresh as shell beans or allow them to dry fully on the plant for storage. This is a variety that delivers both in the garden and on the plate, offering reliable production across a wide range of climates without fussy requirements.
These beans excel as shell beans harvested fresh during summer or as dried beans for winter storage and cooking. Fresh cannellini are tender and creamy when briefly cooked, while fully dried beans develop the deep, meaty flavor that makes them essential for Italian soups, braises, and pasta dishes. Many gardeners harvest some beans fresh while allowing others to mature fully on the plant for long-term pantry storage.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow outdoors as soon as the threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and thin to 6 to 8 inch spacing once seedlings emerge. Soil temperature should be between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Use row covers to protect young plants from bean beetles if necessary.
For fresh shell beans, harvest pods when they are full and green but before they begin to dry, typically in early fall. For dried beans, allow the plants to mature fully on the plant until the pods brown and the beans rattle inside when shaken. Shell the dried beans from their pods and store them in a cool, dry place. The longer you allow the beans to cure on the plant, the better they will store.
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“Silver Cloud originated from breeding work at Washington State University, where researchers developed this improved white kidney bean to enhance the yields and disease resistance of traditional cannellini varieties. The effort reflects a commitment to making this beloved Italian bean more reliable and productive for home and market gardeners, preserving the culinary qualities that have made cannellini indispensable to Mediterranean cooking while adapting it for modern growing conditions.”