About
An annual producing two to four, square-sectioned, upright stems, 0.4 to 1.2m tall, clothed with oblong, blue-green leaves. Clusters of scented, tubular, black and white or dark red flowers are produced all the way up the stem, followed by pods 15 to 30cm long, usually picked when green, turning black when fully mature.
About the genus
Vicia are annuals, herbaceous perennials or climbers; leaves may be simple or divided into many small leaflets, often ending in a tendril. The yellow, purple, white or pink, pea-like flowers are produced in small clusters on the stem or in larger, upright sprays
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationDoes best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. In milder areas, hardier varieties may be sown in autumn to crop in late spring. Otherwise sow successionally from mid-spring to crop from early summer to early autumn. Tall varieties may need staking, dwarf ones can be grown in containers. See broad-bean cultivation for further advice. May also be grown as green manure; see our video How to grow and sow green manure for advice
PruningPicking off the tips of the shoots can reduce and delay infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield of beans
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to broad bean seed beetle, pea and bean weevil and blackfly (black aphid)
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Broad bean rust and Broad bean chocolate spot