French Beans (Climbing)

[Sandyback]

I didn't save last years seed which came from the pods I bought in France the year before, I'm looking for a recommendation on type/variety please.
It was a tall (approx 6ft plus) pencil variety quite good yielding and string less.

I thought for some reason you could get Tendergreen as a climber but I'm unable to find it.

Any suggestions will be duly considered.
Thank You
Andrew

[Geoff]

I've had good results even since I started growing Cobra. I grow them under cover but with only a little more shelter they are fine outside. I have sown them in pots for transplanting to the tunnel as we like them before the runners get into their stride.

[Sandyback]

Thanks, I looked at Cobra but couldn't get a height I think one site said 5ft which seemed a bit short for a climber.
I'll certainly give them a try as the option listed on tinternet seem limited.

[FelixLeiter]

I should also like to second Cobra as one to grow. Any of the varieties derived from Blue Lake, such as Cobra (and Blue Lake itself), are well worthwhile, in my view. It grows well in excess of 5 feet, more like 8 to 10 in the years I've grown it. Delicious pods, for sure, and plenty of them.

[robo]

We planted cobra last year for the first time, they grew to around 7feet, they where that nice we are planning to plant twice as many this year, I have 3 daughters when they tasted them last year it was a battle to who could get them first even our 2 granddaughters where eating them straight from the plant, it was the same with pease, this year my pease are tall ones they will not be able to reach the top ones I stand a chance on getting some home

[peter]

Cosse Violette, lovely purple pods that turn green when cooked.

[Sandyback]

Thanks Peter, been and got Cobra now, but will add them to the list of recommendations.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I also like Cosse Violette and have some other favourites from the Heritage Seed Library (Garden Organic) which I save seeds from every year. Of these my favourite is Mr. Fearn's Purple flowered climbing french bean. It is very productive and produces lots of round podded stringless beans which also freeze well. It grows to about 6 ft tall. Major Cook's bean is another of theirs and grows huge vigorous plants with masses of shortish pods that are good green and also has very tasty roundish beans for drying if you don't pick them all.

I wasn't keen on the Cobra and found they went stringy quickly.

[Monika]

What about Blauhilde, another dark blue French climbing bean? It's pencil-shaped, productive, very tasty and looks attractive. When cooked, the beans go dark green rather than stay purple.

[Sandyback]

Thanks Monika, that sounds like a good possible for next year!