Bean Hestia Dwarf Runner – Renee’s Garden

Phaseolus coccineus

Edible Container Flowers

Carefree Dwarf Hestia runner bean plants grow 12-14 inches tall with rich foliage and prolific flowers. Hummingbirds love them and flock to feed from the pretty blossoms. Hestia is perfect for pots, window boxes or hanging baskets for a lush cascading effect. These edible flowers have a mild nutty flavor, great for snacks, as garnishes and in salads. Flowers are followed by bean pods; the beans inside can be dried for making outstanding chili, soups and stews.

Seed Count: Approx. 20 / Weight: 16.5 g

ANNUAL VINE

Summer/fall bloom with edible pods and seeds
Frost tender

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In spring, be very sure to wait until weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay above 55F (13C), before planting well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. For bed planting, poke seeds in 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows 1 1/2 feet apart.

FOR CONTAINER PLANTING

Choose big pots at least 18 inches tall and 16-20 inches in diameter. Fill pots with fresh, moistened, good-quality potting mix. Sow seeds 3-4 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination in 7-10 days. Sow again in different pots a few weeks later for a longer season of bloom.

GROWING NOTES

Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at planting time, removing when plants get crowded. Feed plants once a month with all-purpose fertilizer. Hestias blossoms are edible; enjoy as garnishes or or tasty salad additions. At the end of blooming season, let some flowers mature into bean pods and allow beans to completely dry in their pods to harvest and use for dried bean recipes.