Every year it is nice to plant something entirely new. Since gardeners tend to have a generous heart, often all that is necessary is to stop and admire a garden and one will be offered a cutting, an on-the-spot dug batch, or a bag of seeds. Such was my pleasure late last summer. As I was typically waiting in the car at the Auto Supply in El Reno, I noticed a gorgeous vine twining about a fence adjacent to the alley. The lovely leaves were veined with deep purple and the exquisite pink and lavender flowers resembled baby orchids. The electric purple bean pods were scattered throughout the mass of leaves and flowers making it a stunning display. Thus was my introduction to Hyacinth Beans. The gardener gave me an overly generous bag of seeds which are absolutely adorable themselves. They are black, brown or speckled with a half circle of white at the joint.
This species of bean has been grown in India since ancient times and is cultivated for its seedpods as well as the leaves which are eaten like spinach. In India the beans are highly desirable for their protein content but since they also contain cyanogenic glucosides, a toxin, the recipes for preparation are intricate and not recommended. For this reason, they are now considered an ornamental rather than an edible bean.
The plants come up quickly in the garden, have a high tolerance to heat, and will travel over twenty feet in a single season. Planted on the fence, the light pole, or anywhere one desires a charming screen, this vine is truly a remarkable joy. Although considered a perennial in some climates, in the Midwest they are an annual, but considering their ease of growing, they make a welcome addition to the garden. For anyone wanting some…I have seeds!
They covered fence... one season!
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