My Dad (95) has always grown Runner Beans, so I have them in my blood. Moving to Norway, I was surprised to find that they were mostly grown as ornamental plants. Indeed, they are called Blomsterbønner (flowering beans) here. Similarly, broad (fava) beans were also rarely grown as a vegetable although both are being more commonly found in veggie gardens today.
However, my cool windy shady hillside garden isn’t ideal for growing runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus), really needing a warm south facing spot for reliable yields. However, being in my blood I have to grow them every year, but some years I wonder why I bother, but still hoping for that bumper yield that we had once many years ago. There were so many that we salted many for winter use.
Well, it looks like this year may finally be that year that my runner beans do crop well and there are already many young beans, perhaps a month earlier than normal, mainly due to the record warm June here when they grew almost as quickly as in Dad’s garden (we compare notes by phone every week!). However, a very cold July turned things around until things started moving again in August.
This year I’m growing four different varieties with different flower colour (we can at least enjoy the flowers!)
1. Celebration 
2. Heirloom Painted Lady
3. Czar
4. Plain old red Firestorm 
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Hei Stephen,
Yes, Runner beans i have grown Phaseolus coccineus Gigantes, greek Gigantes, the last 4 years now and get an ok harvest of big beans. i have chosen not to grow other runner beans of Phaseolus coccineus, because of the likelihood of cross pollination. i understand that Phaseolus coccineus, is much more promiscuous than Phaseolus vulgaris. How sure are you that your 4 varieties of Phaseolus coccineus dont cross, and come true in the future
Hi David!
I don’t. Runner bean seed rarely reach maturity in my shady windy garden, so I usually have to buy in seed each year. Now with access to land at the community garden that is warmer (sunnier), I started with 15-20 early varieties with the idea of developing an earlier variety that maybe also will be able to be grown at home: read about it here – https://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=32020
I also have dry seed this year even though it was a cold wet autumn!
S.
Hei Stephen
I can send you some Phaseolus coccineus Gigantes, from this year if that is if interest.
As i said before it would be very good with a workshop / course with sharing of ideas and experiences om bean growing and use in Norway.
David
Thanks, yes, I’ll try a few!
No hurry though!
I’ve made a note of your wish and will have a think when I’m finished with winter prep and my next visit to Hants!
S.