An exceptional variety that is early to crop and has a long picking season, 'Polestar' produces high yields of smooth runner bean pods that have a sweet flavour and crisp, fleshy texture. If not left too long on the vine, these beans are stringless, so for best taste and texture, pick when they reach 15-20cm (6-8in) in length. A reliable and long-standing favourite of vegetable growers, this heavy cropping variety will produce plenty of delicious fresh beans for your plate and plenty more for the freezer. Versatile and nutritious, they are a classic cooked veg, but the young beans also taste great raw - try shredding or slicing them into a salad or using as a baton for dips. For best results, sow the seeds indoors in pots from April to May for transplanting outside in May to June; or sow from April to May outdoors, directly into their cropping position. To get the growing season off to an earlier start, sow them in containers in your greenhouse. The plants produce pretty red flowers, which are very attractive to bees and other beneficial insects. Grow alongside sweet peas as these will draw in more insects that will help pollinate the runner beans and produce an even bigger crop. As well as 'Polestar' being a rewarding bean to grow, the beans are highly nutritious as they are rich in vitamin C and a good source of fibre. Trim and blanch surplus crops to store in an airtight container or bag in the freezer. They will freeze well, retaining good flavour and texture when cooked from frozen. Supplied as a packet of 50 (approx.) seeds ready to plant indoors in individual pots or outdoors in their growing position. Being deep-rooted, runner beans will thrive in well-dug, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-draining soil, in a sunny and sheltered position. Successive sowings every 2-3 weeks will achieve an extended cropping. Beans will be ready to harvest from July to October, 12-16 weeks after sowing.
A superb variety that is ideal for small gardens and large containers, reaching only 45cm (18) tall. Dwarf Runner Bean 'Hestia' produces good yields of long, straight, stringless pods with a good flavour. This attractive, bicoloured variety begins cropping early in the season, carrying the pods above the soil to avoid disease. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 30cm (12)
Unique new runner bean combining the very best traits of both French and runner beans, Tenderstar really has to be tasted to be believed! The fabulous flavour and tender texture are the result of 15 years of British breeding. Masses of 20cm (8in) long smooth pods are produced throughout the summer, whatever the weather, whilst the stunning bicolour red and pink flowers are an added bonus
This RHS AGM variety is particularly high yielding, producing an abundance of tender beans with an excellent flavour. The pods of Runner Bean 'Celebration' are fleshy, straight, smooth, and almost stringless when young. With its pretty peach-pink flowers this attractive runner bean will look equally at home in your vegetable plot or your flower borders. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12)
A very heavy cropping runner bean that crops well even in dry conditions. Runner Bean 'Desiree' produces long, broad pods up to 30cm (12) in length that are completely stringless. The beans of this white flowered variety produce few seeds, making them particularly flashy and flavoursome. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12)
A top quality, red flowered British-bred variety producing pods of over 40cm (16) in length. Abundant crops of pods hang in clusters and are fleshy, but slender, smooth and straight. For exhibition, thin to one pod per flower stem to increase the length of each bean. Runner beans are a good source of Vitamin C, folate and iron, and have a high fibre content. Runner Bean 'Benchmaster' is also suitable for freezing. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12).
A major breakthrough in British runner bean breeding, offering predominantly self setting plants for a guaranteed crop. This profusely white-flowering variety combines the valuable characteristics of French beans with those of runner beans, resulting in extra smooth, very fleshy, stringless pods up to 25cm (10) long, with a great texture and true runner bean taste.
A British bred bean, well deserving of its RHS AGM. This bicoloured red and white flowered variety produces particularly heavy yields of pale green, 30cm (12) long pods. Crops from Runner Bean 'St George' are earlier and of superior quality when compared to Runner Bean 'Painted Lady'. Harvest the smooth, fleshy beans regularly for a continuous crop throughout the summer. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12)
A premier variety in every way! Vigorous, high yielding plants produce the most tender, thick, succulent pods you have ever tasted. The delicious long, mid green beans of Runner Bean ‘White Lady’ are stringless with a wonderful smooth texture. These white flowered plants are less prone to bird attack than their red flowered cousins, and set well, even in high temperatures, guaranteeing a plentiful crop. Height: 3m (10’). Spread: 30cm (12”)
This reliable favourite produces huge early yields of enormous, smooth, slender pods of up to 50cm (20) in length, from July to October. Awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit, this delicious runner bean is popular for its excellent flavour, as well as its exhibition quality beans that are perfect for entering in the local horticultural show! Runner bean 'Enorma' is also suitable for freezing. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12).
British bred for high yields and reliability, Runner Bean 'Polestar' has become a gardenersfavourite. The stringless, fleshy pods are produced in clusters of fleshy, flavoursome beans reaching 25cm (10) in length. This RHS AGM variety is early to flower and crops well over a long season. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12)
Enjoy heavy crops of tender runner beans over a long season. Runner Bean 'Lady Di' is a red flowered variety producing completely stringless, 30cm (12) long pods. These delicious beans are particularly fleshy due to their very slow seed development, resulting in superb quality beans. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 30cm (12).