Bean (runner) 'Painted Lady' Phaseolus coccineus 'Painted Lady'

Names

• Family

  Fabaceae.

• Synonyms

  Scarlet Runner Bean, Painted Lady Runner Bean, Multiflora Bean, Flowering Bean, Dutch Case-knife Bean.

• Common names

  Phaseolus multiflorus, Phaseolus coccineus.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Annuals

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Red

• Height

  10 feet (3 meters)

• Spread

  3 feet (0.9 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  2

• Native area

  America

General Benefits

• Edible Pods: Phaseolus coccineus 'Painted Lady' produces edible pods that can be eaten raw or cooked, adding nutritional variety to the diet.
• Ornamental Value: With its striking red and white flowers, it serves as an attractive addition to gardens and landscapes.
• Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, which help pollinate other plants in the garden.
• Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, it enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Vertical Growth: It grows as a climbing vine, which can save space in small gardens and can be used to create living screens.
• Versatility: The beans can be harvested young and tender or allowed to mature for dry beans, offering culinary versatility.
• Food Security: The ability to grow and harvest one's own beans contributes to household food security.
• Economic Value: The beans can be sold or traded, providing economic value to the grower.
• Companion Planting: It can be used in companion planting to enhance the growth of other plants and deter pests.
• Cultural Significance: It has historical and cultural significance in many regions, often being grown in traditional gardens and recipes.

Medical Properties

• Antioxidant Activity: The seeds contain compounds that can act as antioxidants, which help prevent cellular damage from free radicals.
• Protein Source: As a legume, Phaseolus coccineus offers a significant amount of protein which is important for muscle repair and immune function.
• Fiber Content: The high fiber content of the beans can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy gut.
• Diuretic Properties: The plant has been traditionally used for its diuretic effects to help in the removal of excess water and toxins from the body.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: Some evidence suggests that Phaseolus coccineus may help in regulating blood sugar levels, although further research is required.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• As a cover crop, Phaseolus coccineus 'Painted Lady' can be planted to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which benefits subsequent crops.
• The sturdy vines of the Scarlet Runner Bean can be used as natural screens or privacy barriers in gardens and patios when trained along fences or trellises.
• The flowers of Scarlet Runner Bean can be used for ornamental purposes in floral arrangements due to their vibrant colors and attractive shape.
• When dried, the empty pods of Scarlet Runner Bean can be utilized in craft projects or as part of dried decorative displays.
• The plant's beans can be used as educational tools in schools for projects on plant growth, seed germination, and pollination.
• In landscaping, Scarlet Runner Bean can be used to add vertical interest to gardens, drawing the eye upward with its climbing habit.
• The beans of Scarlet Runner Bean, when polished, have been occasionally used in jewelry making, particularly for creating unique, plant-based beads.
• The lush foliage of Scarlet Runner Bean provides habitat and food for pollinators and beneficial insects, contributing to biodiversity in the garden.
• Scarlet Runner Bean can be planted alongside other crops as a companion plant to attract pollinators and improve pollination rates for vegetables and fruits.
• In traditional dye-making processes, the various parts of the Scarlet Runner Bean plant have been used to produce natural dyes for textiles.

Feng Shui

The Scarlet Runner Bean is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Scarlet Runner Bean is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Beauty and Elegance: The 'Painted Lady' variety of Phaseolus coccineus, commonly known as the Scarlet Runner Bean, is known for its striking red and white flowers, symbolizing beauty and elegance.
• Vitality and Life Force: As a hardy and vigorous plant, Scarlet Runner Beans are often associated with vitality and the life force, embodying growth and robust health.
• Passion and Love: The rich red color of its blooms is commonly linked with passion and love, making it a plant that can represent strong emotions and affection.
• Nurturance and Support: As a bean plant, it symbolizes nurturance and support, reflecting its role as a food source and its ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen.
• Connection and Relationships: The plant's climbing nature allows it to intertwine with structures and other plants, representing the interconnectedness of relationships and community.