Top 26 best varieties of beans with photos and descriptions: what varieties they come in and how to choose the right one
The legume family has been actively cultivated for several millennia. More than 20,000 varietal varieties have been developed, adapted to various growing conditions and individual preferences.
This article discusses only a few of them, which are relevant in recent times and attract the attention of gardeners for their differences from other varieties.
Classification of varieties
In the modern classification of varieties, beans include several species of the legume family. Due to the diversity of plants, they are classified according to:
- type of fruits - peeling (grain), asparagus (sugar) and semi-sugar;
- seed size - large-, medium-, small-seeded;
- according to the timing of ripening, beans are early-, mid- or late-ripening;
- by purpose – food, feed, green manure;
- on resistance to diseases and pests.
According to their structure, plants are divided into:
- Bush (climbing) - compact low plants up to 60 cm high do not need staking. They tolerate harsh weather conditions better, ripen faster, are more often in demand in the fields, and are convenient for home and greenhouses. There are vegetable, grain and decorative.
- Climbing plants are up to 7 m in length; they must be pinched to prevent them from growing into long vines. The beds require strong supports. They have a long growing season. There are also vegetable, grain and ornamental varieties.
- Semi-climbing - varieties of climbing beans up to 2 m long.
Decorative form
Each of the bean varieties becomes a decoration for the site, but there are also those that are bred specifically for this purpose. They are annual and perennial, climbing and bushy, characterized by a long period of abundant flowering, some do not even bear fruit.
This variety is used for vertical gardening, arranging pyramids on lawns and as green manure. It protects against late blight, and its green mass fertilizes the soil.
Reference. The yield of potatoes planted next to it almost doubles.
Vegetable and grain beans
Vegetable beans include sugar and all-purpose semi-sugar varieties of common beans, fava beans and edible varieties of cowpea.
Semi-sugar grain beans differ from ordinary shelled beans in that their pods (shoulders) in the milky ripeness phase do not have parchment partitions and coarse fibers.
The pods begin to be eaten green, and when fully ripe, full-fledged beans are shelled. To keep the pods tender and soft, they are cut off at least once every 2-3 days. Otherwise, the leaves become coarse and become inedible.
Vigna (lat. Vigna) is another versatile genus of legumes that stands out for its characteristics. From one plant, up to 5 kg of green pods are removed, reaching 100 cm in length, tender and crispy.
The crop comes from tropical forests, it is more heat-loving than beans, its optimal growth temperature is 25-35 degrees. But it adapts to any type of developed soil that provides good rooting. Grows on sandy and clayey soils, with a wide pH range, including very acidic (pH 4) and highly alkaline.
It does not tolerate drying out, and excessive moisture reduces growth and favors infection with fungal diseases.
When fully ripened, grains form in the Vigna pods. They are smaller than regular beans and are also often called peas or lentils. The most famous varieties used for food are: adzuki, anko, mung, mung bean, urd, etc.
Attention! The fruits of sugar and semi-sugar varieties of common beans must be subjected to heat treatment. Green cowpea pods can be eaten raw.
Sugar (asparagus)
Sugar bean pods with small grains are eaten, which are collected 7-10 days after ovaries, cooked, canned and frozen.
Not all varieties of green beans have pods that remain tender when overripe. Therefore they are regularly cut off from the plant immediately upon reaching technical maturity, providing optimal taste and stimulating fruiting.
There are early-, mid- and late-ripening varieties; all types are planted in warm climate zones to harvest throughout the season.
Common varieties of asparagus beans: Saksa 615, Bona, Blue Lake, Nota.
Read also:
How to use black beans in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine.
How and when to plant red beans for the best harvest.
Step-by-step instructions on how to grow beans at home and on the property.
Bush asparagus varieties
This type of bean gained its recognition due to its short ripening time.
Reference. Some varieties of bush beans reach technical maturity within 35 days after planting in the ground.
Plants require more space in the garden, but they produce a constant harvest, which is harvested every 3-4 days from the beginning of fruiting until the onset of cold weather.
Climbing sugar varieties
They differ from bush varieties in a longer ripening period. Mid-season varieties predominate.In cool climates, it is preferable to grow from seedlings.
Cereal types
Shelling (grain) beans used to be called French beans, since it was French cooks who were the first in Europe to appreciate their taste and began to widely use them in cooking.
Only the grains of shelled beans are eaten; the pods of these varieties are too hard and inedible.
Reference. The leaves of grain bean pods are widely used in folk medicine.
Varieties of large beans
This genus of bean was cultivated in Ancient Greece, and in Ancient Egypt it was considered sacred. It has been cultivated for so long that it is no longer found in the wild.
Some varieties of this genus are called Lima or Moon beans (Latin: Phaseolus lunatus), others are classified as Garden or Horse beans (Latin: Vícia fába).
Soviet breeders developed many varieties of this genus of beans under the general name Russian beans. They are frost-resistant and unpretentious to different types of soil.
Bean varieties for growing in different regions
Thanks to the constant work of breeders, new varieties are developed that are adapted to different climatic conditions, soil characteristics, waterlogging or dry weather, and various types of diseases and pests.
How to choose a variety for your region
Main selection criteria:
- the duration of the period during which the temperature comfortable for bean growth is maintained;
- space allocated for beans;
- soil or climatic regional conditions that favor the emergence of pests and contribute to the development of diseases.
Varieties of different types of beans: photos, names and descriptions
When purchasing seeds, there is confusion in the description; semi-sugar and grain varieties are often called asparagus varieties.
To make it easier to determine the varietal variety, it is enough to remember that asparagus beans were named because of the similarity of their pods to asparagus stalks.
Green beans come in different colors: classic green, yellow and purple, evenly distributed throughout the pod, without streaks or spots. The shape of the pod is even, cylindrical, the thickness does not exceed 1 cm, the valves are fleshy, round, and the grains are not visible through their flesh.
American green beans Kentucky Blue Pole
A semi-climbing variety of sugar bean developed by Idaho breeder Calvin Lambert from the Blue Lake and Kentucky Wonder varieties.
The pods of this variety have all the qualities inherent in green beans.
They are smooth cylindrical in shape, dark green in color with small white grains, 15-18 cm in length, sweet and delicate in taste.
The plant begins to bear fruit 65-70 days after mass germination. Sensitive to soil quality, prefers slightly alkaline, well-drained soils.
Green beans Blue Lake
The variety is almost identical to Kentucky Blue Pole, differing only in the beginning of fruiting.
The pods appear a week earlier and are cylindrical in shape. Dark green, 15-16 cm long, fleshy and smooth, remaining soft even when fully ripe.
Golden nectar
A climbing variety of common sugar bean with a bush length of 1.5-3 m. Planting in open ground when the soil warms up to 12-15 degrees, seedlings are sensitive to frost.
Technical maturity occurs in 65-70 days. The pods are yellow-gold up to 25 cm long, the grains are white. Like previous varieties, the pods remain soft even when fully ripe.
The variety is resistant to bacterial diseases and anthracnose.
Purple Queen Beans
A bush variety of sugar bean with an ordinary height of 50-60 cm. Shoots appear in 8-14 days.
The leaves are dark green, the flowers are pale purple.
It stands out for its glossy pods of rich purple color, 15-18 cm long, bright green inside.
Harvested 41-50 days after planting.
Description and photo of Mascotte green beans
Bush variety of sugar bean, plants 40-45 cm high. Shoots in 8-14 days, depending on weather conditions. The optimal temperature for growth is 21-32 degrees, planting at 15 degrees.
Fruiting begins after 50-55 days, the pods are cylindrical, slightly curved, green, 12-15 cm long. Technical ripeness is at 51-56 days, the taste is delicate and juicy.
Full maturity is reached 80 days after germination. With an average rainfall of less than 25 mm per week, regular watering is required.
Butter King
Bush variety of common sugar bean. It is distinguished by its rapid ripening and compact bush up to 40 cm high.
Fruiting in 50 days, technical ripeness on 51-56 days.
Round pods up to 20-25 cm long, golden yellow in color, quickly overripe and become hard.
The grains inside the pods are larger than other varieties.
Variety of yellow asparagus beans Sweet Courage
Bush variety of common sugar bean, up to 40 cm high, white flowers. The pods are cylindrical, slightly curved, 15–16 cm long.
On days 41-46 they become bright yellow with white grains inside. They remain tender and crunchy even when fully ripe.
The plant is disease resistant and requires regular watering on hot days. On well-drained soils it ripens in cool, rainy summer conditions.
Green beans Laura
A compact bush variety of sugar bean, 30-40 cm high, reaches technical maturity in 45-50 days.
The beans are pale yellow in color, without fibers, the length of the pods is 11-13 cm.
The variety is drought and disease resistant and has stable fruiting.
Saxa 615
A bush variety of asparagus beans, bred in the USSR back in the 40s of the last century. Fruiting begins 45–50 days after planting.
The fruits are light green, 9–12 cm in length, slightly curved, tender and crunchy.
The variety is valued for its productivity, which is achieved by the formation of ovaries in clusters of 6–10 pods. The plant is resistant to diseases typical for the crop.
Bon's green beans
The bush variety of sugar bean stands out for its compactness - its height is only 30-40 cm. Glossy cylindrical pods of light green color, 12-15 cm in length, curved at the end, are collected 50-60 days after planting.
The plant forms ovaries in clusters of 4–6 pods, is resistant to diseases typical for the crop, and is stable in fruiting. The variety was bred in Poland and recommended for cultivation in the Central region.
Crane
Bush variety of sugar bean, 40-52 cm high, white flowers.
The plant is thermophilic, planted in open ground at a temperature of 18 degrees, the period from germination to technical maturity is 50-55 days.
Smooth green pods cylindrical in shape, slightly curved, 11-13 cm long, delicate in taste.
Productivity is average. The variety is resistant to bacteriosis.
Green beans cowpea Liana
All cowpeas are commonly called lianas. Caracalla (lat. Vigna caracalla or lat. Cochliasanthus caracalla) is one of the brightest representatives of vines; this plant climbs 7 m in length.
A distinctive feature is the unique snail flowers of various colors.The plant is used to decorate any vertical surfaces, pruning shoots if necessary.
Vigna Countess
Vigna Countess, a climbing and branching plant, up to 3 m long, technical ripeness occurs 55-60 days after full germination.
It bears fruit with long, up to 80 cm, straight green pods, juicy and crispy. The weight of fruits on one plant with abundant fruiting exceeds 5 kg. The variety is adapted to cool climatic conditions.
Reference. The black oval grains of this cowpea are otherwise called black beans.
Photo and description of the green bean variety Vigna Macaretti
A climbing variety, also less heat-loving than other cowpeas, up to 3.5 m long.
Technical ripeness occurs 60-65 days after full germination.
The pods are 30-35 cm long, green, juicy and tender, from 2 to 5 in one cluster.
The grains are light brown.
Classic variety of cowpea bean Asparagus Yardlong
A climbing variety of heat-loving cowpea, up to 3-5 m long, is planted at a temperature of 18 degrees.
The pods are tied in clusters of 5-6 pieces and grow up to 50 cm in length. There are green and purple ones, they can be eaten 60-75 days after planting.
Dolichos (hyacinth bean, climbing lilac)
A perennial climbing plant, a close relative of cowpea, but cultivated only for decorative purposes.
Length 3-4 m, dark green leaves, blooms profusely all season. The wide and flat pods, sometimes growing to large sizes, are inedible.
Fire Red Curly Beans (Turkish Beans, Winner)
Ornamental bean (lat. Phaseolus coccineus) has different names: the climbing variety is called Fiery Red, and the bush variety is called Winner, blooms continuously from June to September.
The inflorescences are racemose, white or bright red.The plant is annual, heat-loving, drought-resistant, cultivated as an ornamental and green manure plant.
The wide and large pods of this plant can be used for food, but due to the thick parchment layer, they are eaten only during the period of milky ripeness.
Spanish white climbing beans
The plant is a relative of Russian beans. It attracts attention with its large beans, which turn white when fully ripe and grow up to 25 mm in diameter, 5-6 times the weight of regular bean grains.
Unripe and ripe grains are eaten.
The plant is a climbing plant, 3-4 m in length, blooms profusely with large white inflorescences, technical ripeness - 72-75 days after mass germination.
Bluehilda: climbing bean for vegetable use
This climbing variety of semi-sugar bean reaches a length of 3 m and is distinguished by the intense purple color of the pods 15-23 cm long with white grains. The finished taste is oily and rich.
Fruiting begins 50-70 days after mass germination. The pods are collected constantly so that they do not become overripe and do not interfere with the formation of new ones. Prefers sandy and loamy, well-warmed and moderately moist soils.
Climbing beans Harmony
A universal climbing variety of semi-sugar beans, 3-4 m long. Blooms 50 days after planting. The flowers are white-yellow.
Technical maturity in 65-80 days, the pods are yellow, uneven, 20-25 cm long, without coarse fiber.
The grains are white. For culinary purposes, it is recommended to use unripe pods.
Fully matures 90-100 days after planting. The variety is resistant to diseases and pests.
Curly bean Violet
Climbing grain beans, 2-3 m long. The pods change color from green to pale lilac during ripening.The grains are rich purple in color.
They reach technical maturity in 70-85 days, and full maturity in 100-120 days after planting. Only grains are eaten.
Green giant climbing bean
A climbing variety of semi-sugar common bean, reaches 3 m in length.
The flowers are small, the color of the petals varies from soft lilac to bright purple.
Fruiting 55 days after planting.
The pods are large, 20–22 cm long, tender and juicy in the milky ripeness phase.
Enchantress - black beans inside white pods
Bush semi-sugar beans begin to bear fruit in 35-40 days. Pale yellow pods without parchment walls with black grains inside.
Full ripening time is 55-60 days. The plant is resistant to unfavorable climatic conditions and various types of diseases.
Borlotto climbing beans
A grain variety of climbing bean, reaches 3-3.5 m in length, fruits are 12-14 cm long, 6-8 grains per pod.
Upon reaching technical maturity, after 55-60 days, the pods of this variety change color from green to spotted beige-pink, after which they can be eaten.
Attention! They eat only Borlotto bean grains. They are cooked for at least 40 minutes. After cooking they have a pleasant nutty flavor.
Full ripening 80-120 days after planting.
Flamingo: a green bean variety with variegated beans
The Flamingo variety is a bush version of Borlotto, up to 60 cm high.
Reaches technical ripeness 55-60 days after germination.
Pods and grains in bright pink stains, 50-60 pieces on one plant.
Conclusion
Legumes provide a wide range of choices for those who like to experiment in the garden and rarely disappoint. One has only to pay attention to the conditions necessary for a culture to survive.
The article briefly describes bean varieties, many of which are bred for growing in cool climates. Others, due to their productive or decorative features, will attract everyone without exception, regardless of weather conditions.