‘Bunyard’s Exhibition’ Broad Bean Plants
- “I was determined to know beans.” – Henry David Thoreau, surely echoing what every gardener feels when they begin plotting their dream veg patch…
- First grown in the 19th century, this heirloom broad bean variety is loved by gardeners the whole UK over, thanks to its reliably heavy yields and large bean pods
- When planted in spring, you can expect to start harvesting pods from the start of summer. While still small and immature, you can harvest the pods to cook and eat whole as you would green beans, whereas if you’re looking to shell the pods, then harvest the pods when they’re larger and full-looking
- You can also plant your broad bean plants in the autumn, overwintering them under a glass (or plastic) cloche to give you an earlier yield the following spring
- ‘Bunyard’s Exhibition’ produces dainty black and white flowers in the spring, adding oodles of ornamental appeal to the plant’s already sizable edible value
- This variety grows relatively tall, so make an easy box shape around your plants with some bamboo canes, tying string around the exterior (imagine a broad bean wrestling ring)
- Boasting exceptional flavour, the beans are perfect for adding to veggie casseroles, sprucing up summer salads, and roasting with oil and salt to have as a tasty snack
- If you find yourself with a surplus of beans, then fear not because this variety is known for storing well in the freezer – happy days!
- Certified by the Royal Horticultural Society as one of its Plants for Pollinators, broad bean plants like ‘Bunyard’s Exhibition’ are a great addition to any wildlife garden
