Vicia faba 'Robin Hood'

RHS Plant Profile
bean (broad) 'Robin Hood'

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Annual Biennial

An upright, bushy half-hardy annual grown for its edible seeds. This dwarf broad bean has compact stems to 45cm high, and glaucous green leaves. Clusters of black and white flowers are followed by mid-sized bright green pods, each with 3-5 green beans

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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. Sow in February in pots in a cold greenhouse or in March/Apr outdoors. This dwarf cultivar is ideal for container growing or for smaller gardens. 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 tender tips of the shoots can delay and reduce infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield

Pests

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

Diseases

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