Seed List
Navy Bean Edmund
This variety came to us from RHS Harlow Carr. Navy beans were first cultivated to sustain Australian forces during WWII and are the variety used as 'baked beans'. The compact (around 20cm), branching plants have white flowers and short green pods with small round beans. The pods are held free of the ground, reducing slug or rotting problems. Principally a drying bean, but can be eaten as a green bean too.
Parfree's Dragon Tongue
Colin Parfree obtained this variety from his neighbour, who had in turn been given them by a friend who travelled extensively in China, from where they are thought to have originated. Compact, sturdy plants produce green pods splashed with thin deep violet stripes. An easy care, easy grow bean that could be used in pots for decorative purposes. The young pods are tender and tasty, and the dried beans have excellent flavour.
Purple Podded Best
From the seed collection of Mr Inchley, whose wife donated this variety to us when he, sadly, passed away. Vigorous, hardy vines reach 1.8-2m in height, producing purple flowers followed by large, straight green pods with heavy purple mottling. Seed Guardian Michael Blake says, “Hardy, disease resistant and a good cropper. Bullet proof!”
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!
Scott's
A neighbour in High Easter, Essex, gave our donor these beans in 1946. Bushy plants (45-50cm) produce creamish-white flowers and an early crop of long, broad, green pods packed full of white beans. Succulent when fresh with excellent flavour as a haricot, but also great dried. Sow to harvest 70 days (approx.)
Siglinde
This bean from Western Ukraine is named after our donor's sister. The light green pods with white seeds are traditionally grown for winter storage as dried beans, however the stringless pods can be eaten fresh when young.
Taiwan
This bean was found by a cleaner at Heathrow Airport on a plane that had flown in from Taiwan in the 1970s. It was passed to our donor in 1981 and he shared it with fellow growers in the Egham area. The plants are bushy at the base with large, lush leaves. They may also produce more than one leader. The lilac flowers are followed by purple flecked, almost stringless pods, which freeze well.
Trinity
Our donor originally acquired these black seeded beans in the 1990s from Trinity, Jersey, where the selection had been grown for many years by a local farmer. Seed Guardian Miss Gotts says, “Have found these to be vigorous, sturdy, chunky plants.” Produces semi-dwarf plants (up to 60cm) followed by lilac flowers and yellow, waxy, stringless pods.
Val's Bean
This variety produces massive plants with large pods and beans, huge foliage and lilac flowers. Their mild, sweet flavour makes them good for eating fresh when young, though they will become stringy if left to mature. The mottled maroon seeds make tasty dried beans.