Scarlet Emperor Runner Bean

Phaseolus coccineus

The perfect choice for your vertical garden.

Scarlet Runner Beans possess an amazing zeal for life. They do one thing and do it well: grow like mad. This does mean that you should be careful where you plant it. But it also means that you're nearly guaranteed a beautiful mass of pretty green leaves, striking red blossoms, and easy-to-grow food: the beans are edible as young pods but traditionally this is a soup bean. Harvest after the pods have dried. Need a spot that needs summertime screening? Sow some scarlet runners and watch your view improve--fast. Needs little tending; just keep the weeds down when young, then watch them go!

These four photos are from Seed Library member Alice Velky who has been gardening since the age of 7 when she was put in charge of her family's strawberry patch. She still enjoys playing in the dirt, watching things grow and eating them.

Shop with confidence: we are now shipping seeds labeled for 2025 planting.

from $3.39

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20 Seeds
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$3.99 $3.39 In Stock
3 Ounces
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$6.39 $5.43 In Stock
8 Ounces
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Beans are fun, fast-growing plants that take little care to perform well.



It makes sense to inoculate beans before sowing, which boosts the nitrogen levels of your garden soil with no work whatsoever. Inoculant is available at garden centers.



Sow bean seeds about three or four inches apart in the row around the third week of May. Thinning is not necessary, but do keep the plants weeded, especially when young. Pole beans often bear for many weeks, continuing to set pods until frost.



For most tender green beans, harvest when young, slightly thicker than a pencil. To harvest dry beans, let the plant mature; pods will dry on the plant towards the end of summer. Pull the brown pods off the vine and store in a dry place until the shells are crisp and easy to open. Or, pull the plants up by the roots and allow them to dry. When the pods are brittle, shake plants back and forth inside a plastic garbage can; the beans will release from their pods and settle in the bottom of the pail.

Days to Germination 5 to 10 days
Days to Maturity 55 days
Planting Depth 1 inch
Spacing in Row 6 inches
Spacing Between Rows 42 inches
Height at Maturity 96 inches
Width at Maturity 4 inches
Sun Preference Full Sun

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