HERRENBÖHNLI SEEDS

Phaseolus vulgaris

An old Swiss heirloom that is unlike any other bean we have grown. All parts of these plants are delicate and diminutive: the polite 5' vines produce tons of tender 2" pods that have no strings and excellent flavor and texture even as they inflate with seeds. The nearly perfectly round beans mature to a lovely glossy mauved taupe that is unique and elegant. Pretty enough for botanical beads. Absolutely fantastic for cassoulet.

Originally obtained from the prolific seed steward Sylvia Davatz in Vermont. This selection is so old that the references I can find in old Swiss garden literature suggest that it was old even then. What is remarkable about old European selections of American garden species is that they possess qualities that were probably common in pre-Columbian gardens but have been lost to time stateside. France and Switzerland in particular have favored and preserved these small seeded flavorful beans in a way that other countries have not. Herrenböhnli deserves a renaissance.

Sow these seeds directly into warm garden soil long after the danger of spring frosts has passed. Almost any pretty trellis is sufficient support. Best with ample sunlight and space and drainage. Their delicate nature makes them more susceptible to mold than other varieties of pole beans. Because the latter half of our growing season was quite damp, we have only a limited supply of seeds for 2027.

Grown by Farmacie Isolde.

Packet contains at least 30 seeds.

Pictured here with the beautiful and delicious pole lima ‘Snow on the Mountain', which we grew a good crop of just one time in New York and then could never do so again.