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Annual Biennial

Vicia faba 'The Sutton'

bean (broad) 'The Sutton'

A variety of broad bean, a hardy, upright annual, with square-sectioned stems clothed with oblong, blue-green leaves. Clusters of scented, tubular, black and white flowers are produced all the way up the stem, followed by pods up to 15cm long with an average of six, white-skinned beans per pod

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Vicia are annuals, herbaceous perennials or climbers; leaves may be simple or divided into many small leaflets, often ending in a tendril. The yellow, purple, white or pink, pea-like flowers are produced in small clusters on the stem or in larger, upright sprays
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Does best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well-drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. May be sown in Oct/Nov and protected overwinter with cloches, for an early harvest. Otherwise sow in February in pots in a cold greenhouse or in March/Apr outdoors. Should not need support. Harvest from May. See Broad beans (Grow your own)

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Picking off the tips of the shoots can delay and reduce infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield of beans

Pests

May be susceptible to pea and bean weevil and black bean aphid. Stored seed may be susceptible to broad bean seed beetle

Diseases

May be affected by broad bean rust and broad bean chocolate spot

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