French Bean 'Purple Queen' (Phaseolus vulgaris) – Dwarf Purple-Podded Bean Plants (12 Plants in 2 x 6-Cell Trays)

Dwarf French bean 'Purple Queen' is one of the most productive vegetables you can grow at home, a compact, bushy bean plant that crops heavily on striking purple pods. It needs no tall support, so it suits raised beds, containers, patio planters and the vegetable patch alike.

The pods are tender and flavourful and are best picked young. The plants stay neat, which makes them a good fit for small gardens, allotments and kitchen gardens, and an easy choice for beginners. The purple pods turn green when cooked. Raw pods and beans are harmful to people and dogs if eaten, so always cook them before eating.

You receive 12 young plants growing in 2 plastic 6-cell trays, one plant to a cell, ready to plant on for the growing season. Plant out into full sun in a sheltered spot only after the last frost has passed, as frost will kill them. Space plants about 15-20cm apart, or grow them close together in blocks so they hold each other up, and add short twiggy sticks to keep the pods off the soil.

Keep the plants well watered, especially during flowering and pod set, and pick the pods regularly to keep them cropping. Sow or plant in stages for a steady supply of beans from summer into autumn. As a living product, plant size and appearance may vary slightly on arrival.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Dwarf French Bean, Bush Bean
• Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 45-50cm tall and 30-45cm wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy, dwarf plant
• Perfect For: Containers, raised beds, patio planters, allotments and kitchen gardens
• Harvest Season: July to October
• Pod Colour: Deep purple, turning green when cooked
• Planting Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds
• Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile soil or good quality peat-free compost
• Hardiness: Not hardy. Plant out after the last frost, typically late spring to early summer
• Type: Tender annual vegetable