Runner Bean
Sunset Runner Bean stands apart with its luminous peachy-pink to shell-pink blossoms that transform any trellis into a stunning ornamental display while producing bountiful harvests. This vigorous climbing heirloom reaches 8 feet tall, producing cascades of 6-8 inch pods ready for harvest in 55-65 days from seed to bloom. The giant lavender beans speckled with black create a striking sight when dried, making this dual-purpose variety equally valuable for fresh eating and dried soup beans. With its unique flower color that's described as absolutely unmatched among runner beans, Sunset Runner proves that productive vegetables can be breathtakingly beautiful.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
96in H x 4in W
Annual
High
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The peachy-pink blossoms of Sunset Runner Bean are truly in a class by themselves, creating an ornamental screen that rivals any flowering vine while producing edible harvests. These vigorous 8-foot vines bear tender pods perfect for fresh snaps, canning, or freezing, plus develop into spectacular giant lavender beans covered in black speckles for winter soups and chilies. The sweet, nutty flavored beans attract pollinators throughout their summer blooming period from June through August, making this variety a perfect choice for gardeners who want both beauty and bounty from their climbing plants.
Sunset Runner Beans serve triple duty in the kitchen as fresh snap beans when young and tender, shell beans when pods mature, or dried soup and chili beans for winter storage. The tender young pods excel in fresh preparations, canning, and freezing, while the mature beans develop a sweet, nutty flavor perfect for hearty winter dishes. Beyond the kitchen, these vigorous climbers create stunning ornamental screens and backdrops with their unique peachy-pink blossoms, making them valuable for both edible landscaping and flower gardens where their cascading pods add vertical interest throughout the growing season.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date using peat pots to avoid root disturbance during transplanting. Sow seeds 1 inch deep at temperatures between 60-85°F, expecting germination in 5-8 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off and when soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F, typically late spring after the last frost date.
Direct sow seeds 1 inch deep around the third week of May or after soil temperatures reach 60°F. Plant seeds 6 inches apart with 42 inches between rows, providing support structures at planting time.
Harvest pods when young and tender at 6-8 inches long, typically when they're slightly thicker than a pencil for the best fresh eating quality. Regular picking encourages continued pod production throughout the growing season until frost. For dried beans, allow pods to mature and brown on the plant toward summer's end, then pull the crisp pods off the vine when they're brittle and easy to open, or pull entire plants and allow them to dry before shaking beans loose in a container.
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