Phaseolus coccineus 'Aintree'

RHS Plant Profile

bean (runner) 'Aintree'

Climber Wall Shrub Fruit Edible

A sweet flavoured runner bean with up to 30cm long of minimal string, smooth, fleshy pods and attractive red flowers. It has a high temperature tolerance.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Raw pods/beans harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Raw pods/beans harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Phaseolus are annual or perennial legumes, usually climbing or trailing in form, and with trifoliate leaves. Grown as crop plants for their edible seeds, including runner, French and lima beans, as well as for animal feed, green manures and as ornamentals
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Sow seeds indoors from mid April for an earlier harvest or outdoors after the last frost. They will grow in full sun or partial shade in fertile well-drained soil. Use canes or wigwams and two plants per cane. Pick beans regularly to ensure continous production. See runner-bean cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to black bean aphids. Young plants also need protection from slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot, bean mosaic, Botrytis, blight.