Perennial 'String' Beans?

​Seriously, yes, sort of. They exist and I can only wonder why on Earth I didn't know sooner.  Talk about simple.  I am a little upset that I have wasted so much time every year clearing a planting area, fertilizing, and planting seeds to grow my beans.  Why not plant something once and enjoy the benefits for years to come? This is just common sense! Well, it is common sense if it actually works out that way.  I intend to try this spring though!

Phaseolus Coccineus

These special 'perennial' beans are called scarlet runner beans, but buyer beware! If you don't purchase the correct latin name for the perennial version you will find yourself planting every year as usual. This is exactly what I did the first time I purchased the beans. Foolish me for not doing my research first (one of the things about me I usually am very good at).
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​You want to buy the Phaseolus Coccineus - not Phaseolus Vulgaris - both of which are titled Scarlet Emperor Runner beans and look EXACTLY the same but aren't.
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The Coccineus beans are supposed to grow back every year as a perennial. However, if you aren't careful they can die off in the winter and act like an annual anyway. I read that if you live in zone 7 or greater it's important to mulch over it in the winter to increase the chances of it surviving to come back in the spring.

The vines grow beautiful orange flowers that many simply like as an ornamental. In fact the flowers are so lovely that they are known to attract hummingbirds!  

I read that the beans grow rather large and the outsides become rough so if we want to eat them like a string bean (which we do) that it is best to pick them early.  However, all is not lost if they do get big because they can be harvested for the beans inside the pod which can be dried and used (eaten) in a variety of ways.

I will plant them for the first time this spring in zone 7 and get back to you this time next year to let you know how they worked out!

Some other basic information:

• Can't be excessively watered or root rot will occur
• Needs a well draining soil (clay, loam, sand)
• Should be planted in full sun in higher zones
• Beans need to be picked frequently to promote more flower growth
• Plant along a fence or trellis
• Mulch over in the winter if in hardiness zone 7 or greater - otherwise they will be an annual
• Can be eaten as a string bean when young
• Older beans can be harvested from the pod and either cooked fresh or dried and then used later in soup, stew, chili, etc. NOTE: Mature beans are poisonous in large quantities so they MUST be eaten cooked.

Dried Scarlet Runner Beans Attribution: Hugowolf at English - Wikipedia

Thanks for visiting!
Any comments? I would love to hear from you so please add them below!
Sincerely,

Sources:

• http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/3533/plant-some-runner-beans
• http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/phaseolus-coccineus/
• http://inhabitat.com/re-discovering-perennial-vegetables/
• http://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phaseolus+coccineus