Runner Beans originate in central America, where it's flowering ability is rated as highly as its ability to produce edible beans, unlike in the UK where it is primarily a food crop.

Part of the reason for the interest in the Runner bean as an ornamental plant is  that the flower is known as a favourite of hummingbirds, unfortunately we are unlikely to ever benefit from this spectacle in the UK. However I do believe that plants such as these are highly under rated in the UK.

Planting them amongst other ornamental plants to produce a productive, yet ornamental gardens is an ideal solution to grow your own,  particularly in our ever smaller gardens. For those with particularly small gardens, don't forget the Dwarf Runner Beans Hestia and Pickwick which are happy growing on patios in a container.

In the UK Runner Beans are by far the most commonly grown bean, due to their ease of growth and highly productive nature.