(Canary Reedgrass, Ribbon Grass, Variegated Ribbon Grass)

Ribbon grass is an invasive perennial grass that grows very fast-forming thick mats. It is thought to be native to Europe, though some suggest it is also native to North America. Ribbon grass is used as a dwarf ornamental grass. The pink to white flowers form in summer on branched, compact spikes on top of short stems. The seeds that follow dry to a buff-tan color. This selection, ‘Feesey’ is less invasive than the species and has leaves that are green with broad white stripes and fine-toothed margins...

(Canary Reedgrass, Ribbon Grass)

Ribbon grass is an invasive perennial grass that grows very fast-forming thick mats. It is thought to be native to Europe, though some suggest it is also native to North America. It is used as a dwarf ornamental. The pink to white flowers form in summer on branched, compact spikes on top of short stems and the seeds are a buff-tan. The leaves are linear, green with white stripes, and rough to the touch with finely toothed margins. The plant spreads by aggressive underground stems or rhizomes, but...

(Scarlet Runner Bean)

Grown for its electric crimson-red blooms and edible beans, this ancient crop is from the mountainous regions of Central America and is thought to have been cultivated for nearly 2,000 years. Scarlet runner bean, or case-knife bean, is a tender perennial vine with brilliant red flowers, while some plants may have red and white blossoms, and others all white blooms. All parts of the plant are edible. The flowers are beautiful as a garnish, new pods can be eaten whole, and mature beans eaten fresh...

(Dwarf Scarlet Runner Bean, Hestia Runner Bean)

Runner bean ‘Hestia’ is a dwarf or bush selection of the ancient crop, scarlet runner bean. The species is native to the higher elevations of Central America are cultivated now as both an ornamental and a vegetable. Hestia is a tender perennial compact vine with brilliant red-coral, pink and white tricolor flowers. All parts of the plant are edible; the flowers are beautiful as a garnish and in salads, the young shoot are tasty sautéed, young pods are eaten whole and when mature the large lima bean-type...

(Magic Beanstalk Scarlet Runner Bean, Scarlet Runner Bean)

While this may not be the beanstalk that allowed Jack to climb high into the clouds, the ornately swirled beans of cultivar 'Magic Beanstalk' are worth using in a children's garden to illustrate the famed story. Grown for its beautiful scarlet blooms and edible beans, the Magic Beanstalk scarlet runner bean relishes summertime warmth and humidity. This bean is native to the mountainous regions of Central America and is thought to have been cultivated as a food crop for nearly 2,000 years. Scarlet...

(Painted Lady Scarlet Runner Bean, Scarlet Runner Bean)

Grown for its beautiful bi-colored blooms and edible beans, the Painted Lady scarlet runner bean relishes summertime warmth and humidity. This bean is native to the mountainous regions of Central America and is thought to have been cultivated as a food crop for nearly 2,000 years. Selection 'Painted Lady' is considered an English heirloom, and was even grown and admired by President Thomas Jefferson at his Monticello home around the year 1800. Scarlet runner bean, or case-knife bean, is a tender...

(Bush Bean, Green Bean, Pole Bean, Shelling Bean, Wax Bean)

Common beans, shelling, green or wax, are among the easiest of vegetables to grow successfully. These herbaceous annuals have two growth habits, bush and pole or climbing types, and originate from the tropical Americas.

Bean leaves are trifoliate (three-leaved), arranged in an alternate fashion on the stem and have oval or diamond-shaped leaflets. Leaf color can be green or purple. The flowers are typical of peas or beans; larger, rounded petals subtend smaller petals that form a lip or keeled...

(Black Valentine Green Bean, Bush Bean, Green Bean)

The heirloom bush bean variety, 'Black Valentine', may be eaten as a fresh snap bean or harvested for dry beans. It was introduced in 1897 by Peter Henderson & Company. This prolific plant produces long, green pods with shiny black seeds inside. Begin to harvest green snap bean pods 50 to 55 days after sowing seeds. An ideal pod measures 6 inches (15 centimeters) in length. Or, leave pods on the plant to fully ripen seeds.

Bean leaves are trifoliate (three-leaved), arranged in an alternate fashion...

(Blue Lake 274 Green Bean, Bush Bean, Green Bean)

A compact variant of the tried-and-true ‘Blue Lake’ pole bean, 'Blue Lake 274' produces loads of flavorful green beans on bushy plants. These plump beans are ideal for canning and ready for harvest around 55 days after sowing. Be sure to pick them when young and tender to avoid strings and toughness. Like many modern bean cultivars, this selection is self-fertile.

Bean leaves are trifoliate (three-leaved), arranged in an alternate fashion on the stem and have somewhat diamond-shaped leaflets....

(Blue Lake Pole Bean, Pole Bean)

Slender, juicy, tender green wax beans are produced on the vigorous pole beans, ‘Blue Lake.’ The flavorful beans are produced on high-performing plants, yielding harvest-ready pods about 62 to 65 days after sowing seeds. Resistance to mosaic virus also makes this a more desirable bean variety for the garden. Popular in the United States for commercial canning, these sweet, meaty but stringless bean pods are excellent for fresh eating, canning or freezing.

Bean leaves are trifoliate (three-leaved),...