Phaseolus coccineus 'Painted lady'
Scarlet runner bean, Dutch case-knife bean
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A runner bean that is often grown for its ornamental flowers. These are delightfully two-coloured having red standards (the upper part) and white wings and keel. The plant has large rather rounded leaves which complement the flowers beautifully. The seedpods can be up to 30 cm in length and are coloured pinky brown. This is a vine and requires a support upon which to climb. Although often treated as an annual it is by nature a perennial.
- Flower colour
- Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.