Black Horse

Bush Dry. The Black Horse bean, adorned with stunning deep pink blossoms, is a productive variety that begins producing dry pods around 85 days after planting, with the remaining pods maturing sequentially over a period of approximately three weeks. While its beans are smaller than those of Black Coco, this variety makes up for it with a higher yield. Originating as an outcross and gifted to me by Will Bonsall of Industry, Maine—known for his esteemed Scattered Seed project. After starting grow-outs in 2015, I proudly named this excellent variety in 2018, highlighting its characteristics and good productivity.

Black Nightfall

Semi-Runner/Dry. A semi-runner variety that typically reaches maturity in approximately 100 days, producing dry seeds. These vine-like climbing plants can be cultivated on the ground akin to bush beans, although they thrive even more when supported. They yield abundantly, with 4 to 5-inch oval green pods lightly streaked with purple, containing 4 to 6 small seeds each. While the seeds may be smaller, they compensate in volume, offering a rewarding harvest. As the beans mature, the pods dry rapidly, signaling readiness for harvest.

Black Star

Pole Black seeded Lima variety is a medium-sized seed lima bean that typically starts producing dry pods in about 90 days. Known for its climbing habit, this pole variety requires support for optimal growth and productivity. Sourced from the Sandhill Preservation Center in Calamus, Iowa, it plays a role in preserving heirloom and open-pollinated plant varieties. This lima bean is appreciated for its flavor and productivity, making it a valuable addition to traditional gardens and sustainable agricultural efforts.

Black Trout

Bush/Dry. Black Trout is a dry bean that begins producing mature seeds in approximately 85 days. The plants feature light pink blossoms and yield seeds that are uniquely patterned, reminiscent of Jacob's Cattle beans. However, the seeds of Black Trout have a color that leans more towards purple and white, akin to the appearance of Black and White Trout. This distinct coloration and pattern make it an interesting and attractive choice for gardeners and bean enthusiasts.

Black Turkey

Pole/Dry. Dry bean variety known for its small seeds and prolific production of 4-inch pods. With its remarkable yield, this bean is versatile and suitable for a variety of culinary applications in bean recipes. Acquired in 2014 as an unnamed cross from Mark Christensen of the Central Tree Crop Research Trust of New Zealand, it has been grown out and refined over time, leading to its eventual naming. This variety's impressive productivity and adaptability make it a valuable addition to any garden.

Black Valentine

Bush/Snap. Blossom pink. This bean variety is characterized by its pink blossoms and hardy nature. Standing 12 to 14 inches tall with an open foliage structure, this productive plant is an heirloom variety established before 1850. It produces dark green pods that are suitable for snap beans in approximately 50 days, while the dry seeds become ready around 75 to 90 days. Its historical significance and reliable performance make Black Valentine a cherished choice for both gardeners and bean enthusiasts.

Blauhilde

Pole/Snap. Blauhilde is a striking pole snap bean variety from Germany, known for its beautiful purple blossoms and highly productive, tender, stringless purple pods. The plants can grow up to 12 feet tall, featuring vines and leaves with distinctive purple veining. Remarkably drought-tolerant and resistant to mosaic virus, Blauhilde offers both aesthetic appeal and robust performance, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking both beauty and productivity in their bean crops.

Blooming Prairie

Bush. Blossom fushia. Purple poded dry bean. First Dry pods in about 90 days. Plants grow with an upright form and runnerless. This bean is one of the many original varieties of the late Robert Lobitz. Named after Blooming Prairie, Minnesota which is located just slightly southwest of Rochester, Minnesota along Minnesota state route 30. The town lies mostly in Steele County. Owen Bridge of Annapolis Seeds in Nova Scotia declares that Blooming Prairie is one of the most beautiful dry beans he has ever grown.

Blue Jay

Bush/Snap. Blossom pink. 50 days to excellent stringless snaps, 90 days dry. Discovered and named by me in 1977. Found it's seeds among the white seeded 19th century French snap heirloom Comtesse de Chambord. Brought to commercial status in Canada by Bob Wildfong and Shirley Bellows of Seeds Of Diversity Canada. Sold by Mandy's Greenhouse, Andrea Berry's Hope Seeds & Perrenials, plus over 10 other Canadian seed companies. First company to sell this bean was Fox Hollow in Pennsylvania in the mid 1990's. Also sold now by the Secret Seed Cartel in France.

Blue Shaxamaxon

Pole. Blue Shaxamaxon is a historic pole bean variety named after a traditional Lenape meeting and fishing site along the Delaware River, now part of Philadelphia's Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods. Believed to be a pre-1800 variety, it was preserved by local Quaker farmers and is notable for its pods, which turn dark purple when dry. Traditionally, these beans were cooked in a dish known as black mush, a polenta made with blue or black cornmeal, highlighting their cultural significance and culinary heritage.

Blue Spitball

Pole/Dry. A highly productive pole dry bean variety, known for its abundant 4-inch pods that are easy to hand shell. This unique bean was discovered by world seed traveler Joseph Simcox and offered at a seed swap meeting, where his brother had given it its distinctive name. After several attendees grew the beans, it gained popularity, and was also acquired by another vendor in Pennsylvania from who I acquired the bean from a year later, further contributing to its cultivation and appreciation among gardening enthusiasts.

Bobolink

Pole/dry. The Bobolink bean, also referred to as "Beautiful," takes approximately 95 days to mature for dry seed harvesting. I believe it may have historical roots in Maine, with several members of the Seed Savers Exchange noting their sources of the bean from that state, including John Withee of Wanigan Associates in the 1970s, who specifically cited Bowdoin, Maine, as a source. This heirloom variety is cherished not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its adaptability and robust flavor, making it a valued addition to heritage seed collections and home gardens.

Bomba

Bush variety. A dry bean from Ukraine, gained attention in the gardening community for its unique seed color. I acquired it through trading with Joseph Simcox, known as The Botanical Explorer, who has a passion for preserving and sharing rare plant varieties. Bomba is an interesting color choice for gardeners looking to explore different cultivars. Its introduction into home gardens reflects a growing interest in heirloom varieties and their historical significance.

Bogen

Pole Dry. A heritage variety that I plant in late May or early June, with an anticipated harvest of dry pods around mid-September. This bean's growing season allows for a complete harvest before the first frost in October, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners. Having originally grown and donated Bogen to Seed Savers Exchange in the early 1980s, it reflects my commitment to preserving this heirloom bean varieties. The Bogen bean continues to be valued among bean enthusiasts and those looking to maintain agricultural biodiversity.

Bonanza Little Pinto

Bush Dry. The "Bonanza Little Pinto" is known for its robust productivity and ease of cultivation, as it grows without runners. It typically produces its first dry pods in about 90 days, showcasing 5.5-inch pods that are ideal for both home gardening and culinary uses. Developed by Robert Lobitz of Paynesville, Minnesota and introduced through the Seed Savers Exchange in 2004, this genuine bush pinto bean is celebrated for its reliable growth and flavorful beans, making it a popular choice among gardeners and bean enthusiasts seeking to add a high-yielding variety to their collections.

Bonanza Valley Navy

Bush Dry. Matures in approximately 85 days, producing notable pink blossoms. This variety is characterized by its heavily branching plants, which yield an abundance of pods measuring between 3 to 3.75 inches in length. Developed by Robert Lobitz, the Bonanza Valley Navy bean is prized for its prolific output and flavorful beans, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to maximize their harvest with a reliable and productive variety.

Bountiful

Bush/snap. This variety reaches pickable pods in just 47 to 50 days, making it an early and productive choice for gardeners. Known for its stringless, flat pods that retain their quality long after harvest, this variety was introduced by the Peter Henderson Company in 1898. The name "Bountiful" was selected through a naming contest held by the company, with Abel Steele of Ferguson, Ontario, winning a $25 prize in 1897 for his contribution, which aptly reflects the generous yield this bean variety offers.

Borlotto Di Seluggia

Bush/Dry. This variety matures in approximately 90 days, producing its first dry pods. Known as a cranberry-type bean, it has been cultivated since the early 1900s in the Seluggia region of Italy. This variety offers productivity on par with other similar beans, making it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking flavorful and visually striking beans for cooking and storage.

Bountiful Ester

Bush/Dry. This bean variety that takes about 100 days to mature it's first dry seed. Characterized by sprawling, viney plants that do not climb. While there is little ancient history associated with this bean, it is primarily attributed to Ralph Coon of Flint, Michigan, who began its development around the mid-1980s. This variety combines practicality for garden spaces with the potential for a productive yield, making it an interesting option for bean enthusiasts.

Bosnian Pole

Pole/Snap. Said to be a snap bean variety with a maturation period of 65 to 75 days for snaps and 95 days for full dry pods. Known for its striking white blossoms, it produces thick, meaty, stringless pods that measure about 5 inches in length. This variety hails from Bosnia, with a unique characteristic where a white patch appears on the seeds as they age. It was acquired through a bean swap with Shirley Bellows, a representative from western Canada for Seeds of Diversity Canada, adding a story of community and heritage to this beautiful bean.

Boston Favorite

Bush/Dry. This bean variety matures its first dry pod in roughly 90 days, with most dry pods ready within about 115 days. The beans produce six-inch green pods adorned with light red splashes. Originally known as Godard, this heirloom variety was cultivated in the Boston area before 1885 and initially featured a runner-forming habit; however, today's strains have been improved to grow without runners, making them more suitable for modern gardening while still preserving the old cranberry or horticultural type seed characteristics.

Brauner Bar

Semi-Runner/Dry. Known for its white blossoms and early maturity, producing its first dry pods in about 90 days. These productive, viney plants can be grown like a bush but thrive better when given support, such as climbing on hog panels; this method will significantly increase it's yield for the grower. The name "Brauner Bar" translates to "Brown Bear" in English, and its unique seed coat exhibits a distinct brown and white pattern reminiscent of the Molasses Face variety.

Bregenzer

Pole/Dry. I acquired this bean through a trade in 2013, thanks to an Austrian enthusiast named Harriet Mella. This charming bean features rounded seeds displaying a distinctive Bobolink pattern, characterized by a red area that is not centered around the eye but rather concentrated at one end of the seed. Its unique appearance and origins contribute to its appeal among bean collectors and gardeners.

Brejo

Pole/Snap. An early maturing bean variety, taking 90 to 95 days to harvest, characterized by vigorous vines that produce violet flowers and long, wide flat pods measuring about 8 inches. The pods are speckled in maroon and remain crisp for an extended period, making them desirable for harvest. Known for its cold hardiness and adaptability to wet spring conditions, Brejo seeds can reportedly be direct sown once daytime temperatures reach around 60 degrees. This very old variety has been preserved by Native American communities, highlighting their cultural and agricultural significance.

Brilliant

Semi-Runner/Dry. A variety developed by J.R. Hepler in 1946 at the University of New Hampshire. It is known for its productivity and features large, somewhat kidney-shaped seeds with a tan base, streaked and speckled with red. Following its development, the variety was marketed by his son's seed company, Billy Hepler Seed Co., from the late 1940s through the early 1950s. Its distinct appearance and history make it a notable choice for bean enthusiasts and collectors.

Brittle Wax

Bush/snap. Yellow poded. Early, prolific, 45-55 days to snaps. Introduced in 1900 by the Johnson And Stokes seed company under the name Twentieth Century Dwarf Wax. The name was changed to Brittle Wax in 1902 as the result of a naming contest. A cross between Black-eyed Wax and Round-pod Refugee. Therefore a half brother of Round-pod Kidney Wax and Pencil Pod Black Wax through the Round-pod Refugee parentage.

Brooten

Brooten is a bush dry bean variety known for its high productivity, featuring pods that grow 6 to 7 inches long. Its development began in 2015, using genetic material left behind by Robert Lobitz after his passing. The original seeds were obtained from the late Ron Thuma, a member of the Seed Saver Exchange from Hartford, Kansas. Brooten's lineage ties it to a commitment to preserving and enhancing heirloom bean varieties, celebrated for their heritage and agricultural value.

Brown-Eyed Goose

Pole/Dry. Discovered in my garden and named by me around 1980. Inspired by a fascination with beans bearing "goose" in their names and their intriguing origins, this early-maturing and highly productive bean has garnered a following among gardeners worldwide. It produces an abundant yield of aesthetically pleasing pods with attractive purple mottling as they mature, and its thin pod walls facilitate easy hand shelling, making it a favorite among bean enthusiasts.