Bean plants produce wonderful flowers. For gardeners the flowers are a sign that the plant is growing successfully and will soon produce beans. Every variety of bean has its own colour flower and many gardeners chose to grow beans particularly for the floral display.
It is interesting to note how beans grown in soil and those in containers will perform differently. The potted beans put more effort into growing while those in soil beds will take longer in the beginning as they root more deeply. In the end both plants will grow to their full size and produce equally well.
Raised bed
Stairwell
Some gardeners grow beans in groups of the same variety in the same spot while others (myself included) enjoy mixing the bean varieties. Each plant produces beans in clusters ideal for household use. Beans should be picked before fully mature to keep the plant cropping over the summer.
Training beans is an important part of the process particularly in confined space. Left to their own devices beans will shoot straight up and can reach 2.5 metres. By training the beans to move vertically the plants are kept at a manageable height for picking.
It is best to grow beans as a succession crop. This means starting new bean plants on a regular basis well into the summer. The new plants are introduced among existing plants and this in time extends the crop production well into late summer.
The flowers on beans are quite exotic with beautiful pale pastel colours and strong bright vivid colours. As these are followed by beans for eating it seems the best of both worlds to have attractive garden colours and then fresh beans. Beans work very well in the shaded confines of small city gardens.
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