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FREE: Purple Hyacinth Bean vine

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Description

The listing, Purple Hyacinth Bean vine has ended.

I've grown these for several years now and I still say "WOW" every time I see them! To start with, the seeds/beans look like little 'Oreo' cookies that have had the filling squished out one side As they grow you get lovely, hunter green, heart-shaped leaves with purple veins followed by tall flower spikes with flowers that turn from a pink to a lovely purple color as they age - then the PIECE DE RESISTANCE: the large, deep purple seed pods! These seed pods really stand out against the lovely green foliage and are every bit as attractive as the flowers!

Hyacinth beans are fun to grow, they are self-sowing annuals; they prefer full sun but can grown in partial shade and I've found them to be fairly drought tolerant once established. They sprout easily and grow quickly reaching 20 feet or more - a very vigorous vine and bloomer - blooming all summer to frost. It's been cultivated as a novelty plant in the U.S. for generations -- grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello!

If you're looking for a vine to cover a fence for privacy, THIS IS IT! These are fast growing, easy to maintain and attractive all summer into fall. Grow these on your fence, arbor or even as a ground cover - a perfect heirloom vine for your cottage garden! Oh, and don't forget the butterflies, bees, hummingbird moths and hummingbirds that frequent the flowers - they'll love them, too!

Winner will receive 10 seeds!
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Questions & Comments

I suppose this is only for ornamental not for eaten isn't it? Does the flower have nice scent to it?

Apr 10th, 2010 at 1:52:02 AM PDT by

The Flowers are very fragrant and attract hummingbirds like crazy. The beans are said to be poison in their raw state however can be cooked and eaten much like a green bean and are very good. I know of people who have eaten them raw in a raw salad with no ill effects but I would say to be cautious. I always cook mine.

Apr 10th, 2010 at 8:26:23 AM PDT by

Will these grow in zone 4? And are they an annual? These are gorgeous!

Apr 11th, 2010 at 7:37:11 PM PDT by

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The hyacinth bean vine is an annual and grows well in all hardiness zones during warm weather. In zones 10 and 11 the vine is considered a perennial.
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Container specimens may be difficult to find, but are sometimes found at nurseries. The vine does not transplant well. Plant them no deeper than their pot and space multiple vines a foot apart. Keep them watered well.
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The vine seeds may also be started in 3-inch peat pots and then planted outdoors. Place 2 or 3 seeds in a peat pot filled with a soilless potting mix, just barely covering the seeds. Moisten and keep in a warm, indoor location until germination. Use a pair of scissors to snip off weak seedlings and plant the vine and pot outdoors when danger of frost has passed.

Apr 11th, 2010 at 9:54:43 PM PDT by

Wil you send how to get seeds from this info? I would like to get seeds from this to replant it for next year if I win.

Apr 12th, 2010 at 12:55:37 PM PDT by

The Purple beans hold the seeds, you just let them mature and pick the pods and let them dry. You want to pick the beans early while they are young and tender if you want to eat them. Sorry you didn't win. I am considering putting another 10 seeds up for auction.

Apr 12th, 2010 at 2:49:14 PM PDT by

Purple Hyacinth Bean vine is in the Home & Garden | Other Home & Gardening Items category