(60-75 days) Peter Henderson & Co. introduced this Lima bean in 1887. I found this seed catalogue description from 1892, which I just have to repeat in its entirety: "This wonderful innovation created a greater furore (sic) last season than any vegetable novelty that has ever been offered. Those who never had a vegetable garden before were induced to plant the Henderson Bush Lima Bean, because it enabled them to have the most delicious of all vegetables without the trouble and expense of the unsightly poles. Hundreds of the most flattering letters have been received from every state telling of its wonderful success. A single plant was shown last season which had 271 pods on it at one time. Henderson's New Bush Lima grows without the aid of stakes or poles in compact, bush form, about eighteen inches high, and produces enormous crops of delicious Lima beans, which can be as easily gathered as the common garden bush sorts. Is at least two weeks earlier than any of the climing Limas. This fact alone would stamp it as the most valuable novelty of recent years, but when, in addition to this, we consider that it is a true bush bean, requiring no supports, some idea of its great value can be realized. The New Bush Lima produces a continuous crop from the time it comes into bearing... until frost, and, being enormously productive, a very small patch will keep a family supplied with this splendid vegetable through the season." Whew! What can I add...other than to suggest you might want to try it for yourself.
NEW FOR 2010!! 90-95 days. This extremely rare bush bean's pedigree seems to have been lost. Little is known of its origin, but it's a wonderful dry bean for short growing seasons. It grows well in most conditions and produces good yields of beautiful, kidney-shaped, white beans that are splashed with black. The rich taste makes it good for soups and stews.
(68 days) 1827. I'm delighted to have found this bean as it's the only runner bean with bi-coloured (red & white) blossoms. Absolutely beautiful and extremely attractive, not only to hummingbirds, but also to hummingbird moths!
A very popular, very early bush bean, this is a market favourite. Developed in 1976, it reliably produces heavy crops of round, fleshy pods in as little as 50 days. The plants are compact and adapt well to a variety of adverse growing conditions. In addition, they can germinate in cool soil. They produced wonderfully for us in a summer of heavy rains and cool temperatures!
Aka Blue Coco (Pole; 59 days) Pre-1775 A very old bean from France. Unusual, rose-pink flowers are followed by beautiful, deep purple pods with meaty tan-coloured seeds. This bean is renowned for being able to thrive in almost any conditions is heat-and-drought-tolerant. Harvest young as a snap bean or let dry for a meaty dry bean.
Aka 'Preacher'(Pole;75 days) A very prolific and beautiful bean. 7" pods are purple-streaked like the skin of a rattlesnake, and beans are tan with dark brown markings. Can be eaten young for sweet snap beans, or left to dry. Has done incredibly well for us during droughts. Can be grown in sandy soil.
(Bush) This variety is loved for its beautiful deep-purple pods that are stringless and delicious. Prolific producer, even in cool weather.
(65 - 90 days) 1750. A very old favourite, this 10-18' vine produces beautiful bright red flowers that hummingbirds love, followed by mottled purple/red seed. Use fresh when young or dry shelled.
(65-70 days for greenshell; 90-95 days for dry) It is very difficult to find soybeans that haven't been genetically modified - finally, I've come across this Japanese heirloom soybean. 'Agate' was introduced to the U.S. in 1929. It is an early-maturing variety that is recommended for short-season climates. The beans are a unique colour of olive-gold and brown and very falvourful. The short (12-18") plants are heavy producers. Rare.
(60 65 days) A very unique variety of Runner Bean its blooms are a delicate salmon-pink colour. One of the earliest maturing Runners it produces short, flavourful beans that are excellent for freezing. Sure to be an eye-catcher in the garden.
(Snap, 45 55 days) 1922. This incredible bean has so much going for it its meaty, 5-6 stringless pods are produced in abundance early in the season thus extending your harvest times, and its both disease-resistant and heat tolerant. On top of all this, its flavour is considered one of the best for green beans.
NEW FOR 2010!! 45 days for snap; 70 days for dry. A very early bush bean, originally from Beauce County (Comte Beauce) in Quebec. As with many Quebec heirlooms, it is an excellent short-season variety, producing prodigious amounts of beautiful, straight, green beans dashed with purple early in the season. Leave some on the bushes to dry and you have an attractive dry bean that is a deep tan colour with burgundy flecks. This bean has produced well for us in cool, wet conditions.
