The large clusters of beautiful scarlet flowers and rapid, vigorous, sprawling growth make Scarlet Emperor an ideal choice for screens, trellises, and balconies. The long pods are tender and tasty when picked small. If undisturbed, the roots may overwinter and re-grow the following spring in mild winter areas. Even if it doesn’t come back as a perennial, the seeds are large and easy to harvest and dry for future plantings. The seeds are black, streaked with purple. Grow Scarlet Emperor runner beans up a tall, strong trellis, and it will reach 3m (10') or higher by mid-summer.

Matures in 75 days (Open-pollinated seeds)

Season Warm season

Exposure Full-sun

We Recommend

Scarlet Emperor (BN127). Tall to the point of being massive, these vines just keep growing. Starting in mid-summer the plants are festooned in brilliant scarlet flowers – and then come the beans by the bushel.

Timing

Direct sow from late spring to early summer. Try to plant during a warm, dry spell. Soil must be warm – if it is not warm enough, seeds will rot, especially our untreated seeds. Optimal soil temperature: 21-32°C (70-90°F).

Starting

Seeds can be started indoors, or sowed directly. Set seeds 7-10cm (3-4″) apart and 3.5cm (1½”) deep at the base of a support. Plants will climb by twining around almost anything. Try rough poles, lumber, re-bar, or build a strong trellis 2-2.5m (6-8′) tall. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on soil conditions.

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row. Too much nitrogen in fertilizer or manure may cause poor pod set and delayed maturity. If beans flower but do not set pods, the cause can be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp based fertilizer. Wet leaves on crowded plants are subject to diseases. Thin plants to increase air circulation and avoid touching the leaves while they are wet.

Harvest

Beans can be picked when plump-looking. You may dry beans to preserve them, or cook them soon after harvesting. You must ensure that you cook these beans thoroughly; raw runner beans contain lectin, a toxin that is removed by the cooking process.

Seed Info

In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.

How to Grow Runner Beans

Step 1

Timing

Direct sow from late spring to early summer. Try to plant during a warm, dry spell. Soil must be warm – if it is not warm enough, seeds will rot, especially our untreated seeds. Optimal soil temperature: 21-32°C (70-90°F).

Step 2

Starting

Seeds can be started indoors, or sowed directly. Set seeds 7-10cm (3-4″) apart and 3.5cm (1½”) deep at the base of a support. Plants will climb by twining around almost anything. Try rough poles, lumber, re-bar, or build a strong trellis 2-2.5m (6-8′) tall. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on soil conditions.

Step 3

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5

Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row. Too much nitrogen in fertilizer or manure may cause poor pod set and delayed maturity. If beans flower but do not set pods, the cause can be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp based fertilizer.

Step 4

Germination

Days to maturity: From direct sowing.

In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.

Step 5

Harvest

Beans can be picked when plump-looking. You may dry beans to preserve them, or cook them soon after harvesting. You must ensure that you cook these beans thoroughly; raw runner beans contain lectin, a toxin that is removed by the cooking process.