About
This broad bean has glaucous green leaves and clusters of black and white flowers, followed by long green pods to 30cm, with up to 8 green-skinned white beans in each pod. An upright, bushy half-hardy annual grown for its edible seeds. Best picked early for mid-sized, sweet flavoured beans; ready to harvest from late May depending on climate and sowing time.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright, Bushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationDoes best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well-drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. Sow in February in pots in a cold greenhouse or in March/Apr outdoors. Plants may need support. See broad-bean cultivation for further advice
PruningPicking off the tender tips of the shoots can delay and reduce infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to pea and bean weevil and black bean aphid. Stored seed may be susceptible to broad bean seed beetle
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to broad bean rust and broad bean chocolate spot