Stringless Beans

Transform your kitchen garden with Runner Bean 'Scarlet Empire'—a modern twist on the beloved 'Scarlet Emperor', renowned among UK gardeners for over 100 years.

• Botanical Background: Phaseolus coccineus 'Scarlet Empire' is a vigorous climbing bean bred for improved pod length and smoothness, while retaining the delicious flavour and early cropping of its famous predecessor.
• Growth & Harvest: Expect these robust plants to quickly climb up canes or trellises, reaching mature heights of up to 3m (10') with a compact spread of around 30cm (12"). The stringless pods are easy to harvest and prepare—perfect for steaming, stir-fries, or freezing.
• Planting Guide: Plant outdoors after the last frost, ideally from late April to June. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly during dry spells and mulch to retain moisture. These beans thrive in neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–7.0).
• Care Tips: Pinch out the growing tips when plants reach the top of their support to encourage bushier growth. Regular picking promotes further pod production throughout summer and into early autumn.
• Garden Use: Perfect for vegetable beds, allotments, or large containers on patios. Pair with companion plants like sweetcorn or nasturtiums for natural pest control and attractive displays.
• Supplied As: Multi-sown garden ready plants—no seed sowing required! Just plant straight out for a fast start to your bean harvest.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant these runner beans? The ideal time is after the last frost—typically late April through June in most UK regions.
• How tall will these plants grow? 'Scarlet Empire' runner beans can reach up to 3 metres (10 feet) with support.
• What care do these plants need? Provide strong supports, water regularly in dry weather, and harvest pods frequently to encourage more beans.