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Annual Biennial

Vicia faba 'Vroma'

broad bean 'Vroma'

An upright, bushy half-hardy annual grown for its edible broad beans to around 90cm in height. This early-season variety produces masses of purple-white flowers in summer, followed by large pods containing around 4-5 plump, full-flavoured beans per pod. Sow in spring or autumn to harvest in June and July

Other common names

bean (broad) 'Witkiem Vroma'

Synonyms

Vicia faba 'Witkiem Vroma'

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Vicia are annuals, herbaceous perennials or climbers; leaves may be simple or divided into many small leaflets, often ending in a tendril. The yellow, purple, white or pink, pea-like flowers are produced in small clusters on the stem or in larger, upright sprays
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Does best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well-drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. May be sown in Oct/Nov and protected overwinter with cloches, for an early harvest. Otherwise sow in February in pots in a cold greenhouse or in March/Apr outdoors. Plants may need support. See broad-bean cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Picking off the tips of the shoots can delay and reduce infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield of beans

Pests

May be susceptible to pea and bean weevil and black bean aphid. Stored seed may be attacked by broad bean seed beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to broad bean rust and broad bean chocolate spot

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