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Annual BiennialFruit Edible

Glycine max 'Elena'PBR

soya bean 'Elena'

An upright, bushy annual legume bred specifically for the British climate and self-pollinating. It has green foliage and small, insignificant sweet-pea like white to purple-pink flowers which appear from July through to September, followed by clusters of green, hairy fruit pods containing around 3 to 4 soyabeans per pod. Ready to harvest July through to November, when the pods turn yellow and leaves begin to drop

Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Purple Pink Green Green Yellow
Autumn Green Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

A genus of scrambling annual or perennial, best known for the species Glycine max, which is the cultivated soya bean used as a food ingredient. Tall stems produce green foliage and violet-purple to white flowers followed by green seed pods

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun under glass April to May. Remove cover when seedlings appear and transfer outside to harden off from late May when the risk of frost has passed. Plants may need support in windy areas. Harvest beans when pods turn yellow

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial blights, brown spot, anthracnose, downy mildews, powdery mildews and soybean rust, root and stem rots, stem blights and virus diseases

Get involved

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