Seed List
New Mammoth
Syn. Aquadulce Claudia. This variety is now included, under its synonym, in the UK National List, so this will be the first, and last, time we offer it in the HSL Catalogue. Suitable for autumn sowing, the plants will grow to more than 1.2m, so it will require some staking.
Buckeye Fall
Another variety donated by John Yeoman this white flowered American heirloom grows to around 2m in height and is a prolific producer of curved, flattish green pods. Later than other French bean varieties and perfect for use dried. Let us know what you think of the flavour.
John's Beans
Gardening writer Andi Clevely was sent these beans by a reader in response to an article he had written for The Garden in May 2001. The reader had, in turn, been given them by his father during the 1960s. Originally brought to the UK by Sicilian gardener, Giovanni Dolce, the beans were named 'John's Beans' after him. They produce white flowers followed by prolific clusters of stringless pods. The pods are delicious when young, and the dried beans have a lovely nutty flavour.
Ray's Butter Bean
Originally from Phoenix Seeds, Australia, this variety had been grown in the UK for many years by John Yeoman of The Village Guild, who donated the seeds to us. The white and pale apricot flowers are borne on tall (2.5-3m) plants. Guardian Mrs Jane Durston loves them; she says, “Beautiful flavour, very mild and creamy, can't wait for next year's crop!” Tends to crop later (into September) but we have seen variances in this across the UK, so do let us know how they get on where you live.
Romano
This ex-commercial variety was deleted from the National List sometime in 2007, and thankfully passed to us before it was lost forever. Dating back to at least 1972, it was supplied by Thompson & Morgan who describe it in their 1995 catalogue as, “Long, tender, meaty and stringless 6-10 inch pods liberally loaded with unbeatable flavour. Heavy yield, good for freezing.” Our Guardians agree, and also note the strong, tall, vigorous plants so provide some sturdy support!
Black Jack
(Brassica oleracea) Our donor originally acquired seed of this variety in about 1957. Thought to have originated in Tiverton, Devon, it was then grown at Dipwell Farm, Ashburton. She says, “The plants are immensely strong and resilient. The leaves are a soft green with mauve veins and stalks. The shoots are delicious raw or cooked and it freezes well.”
Born Mangetout
Our donors were given these peas by teacher, Ester Born, from Switzerland, after whom it is named. Ester acquired the variety from a local farmer and it is thought that the variety dates to back to the 1970s. Produces tall plants (2-3m) and beautiful magenta flowers, followed by delicious mangetout peas. It is also winter hardy and can be sown in January/February or as soon as the ground thaws.
Veitch's Perfection
Thought to have been developed by Veitch's Nurseries of Exeter and Chelsea, this variety is referred to in Johnson's Gardeners' Dictionary (1842 edition). It is a late variety producing vigorous (1.2-1.8m) plants with very large leaves and white flowers. The large pods contain 9-11 marrowfat-type peas with strong but sweet flavour.
Yorkshire Hero
This variety originated around 1862. The DM Ferry catalogue (USA) of 1881 states, “A fine, white, wrinkled pea, very prolific, quite early and of delicious flavour; grows to about 2½ feet high (70cm) and keeps a long time in season. In fact, it never becomes hard. The seed, when ripe, is of a creamy-white colour, much shrivelled and indented, and in its green state is unsurpassed in sweetness and delicate flavour.” Let us know what you think.
Simpson's Many Stems
Named after our donor, this is an unusual runner bean in that it produces around three stems per seed. Mr Simpson passed the bean to us to ensure that it would not be lost forever. He says, “A very heavy cropper, good length, an enormous size and very tasty.” Let us know what you think of it.