Shirohana Fujimame is a striking hyacinth bean that has graced Asian gardens for centuries, prized equally for its ornamental white flowers and its tender, delicious pods. This heat-loving annual vine grows 8 to 10 feet tall and produces harvestable beans in 100 to 109 days, thriving in zones 3 through 11 when given full sun and moderate water. Its drought tolerance and ability to flourish in heat make it a reliable choice for warm-season gardening, whether you're growing it for beauty, nutrition, or both.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
120in H x ?in W
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High
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Generations of Chinese gardeners have cultivated this variety for good reason: the pods are genuinely delicious, and the pure white flowers that precede them are stunning enough to grow as ornamental vines. The combination of heat and drought tolerance means it succeeds where other beans might struggle, and its vigorous growth habit can cover a trellis with both foliage and flower within a single season. Unlike many specialty vegetables, Shirohana Fujimame demands little fussing while delivering both visual drama and a harvest you'll actually want to cook with.
The tender young pods are harvested and cooked fresh, steamed, stir-fried, or added to soups and curries where their delicate texture shines. The beans are eaten when immature and tender, before they mature into dry beans; cooking them fresh emphasizes their subtle flavor and pleasant snap. This is a crop for cooks who value the entire pod as food, not a dried bean storage vegetable.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to their final location.
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after the last frost date, when soil temperature reaches 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This warm-season annual requires heat to germinate reliably.
Harvest pods when they are young and tender, typically 12 to 14 days after flowering. Pick them when the pods snap cleanly between your fingers but before they begin to harden or show signs of maturity. Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and pod production throughout the warm season. The white flowers are a visual indicator that pods are developing nearby.
No formal pruning is necessary for this vining cultivar. Allow the plant to grow naturally along its support structure, removing only dead or diseased foliage as needed. Pinching back the growing tips early in the season can encourage branching and fuller vine coverage if desired.
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“Shirohana Fujimame has been grown in China for centuries, passed down through generations of gardeners who recognized its exceptional combination of productivity and resilience. The name itself reflects its origins: shirohana meaning white-flowered, fujimame referring to the hyacinth bean family. This open-pollinated heirloom represents a lineage of seed saving and selection refined over hundreds of years in Asian agriculture, preserved and shared by gardeners committed to maintaining rare vegetable varieties.”