Crimson flowered Fava Bean
Crimson flowered Fava Bean
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Crimson flowered Fava Bean
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Crimson flowered Fava Bean

Crimson flowered Fava Bean

$4.50
$4.50
Sold out

 

 Vicia faba 'Crimson Flowered' is an easy to grow heritage broad bean variety, bearing an early crop of delicious, tender beans ready for early Spring eating.( I once grew the white flowering kind and made a fabulous hummus as part of our May wedding meal!) They have kind of a nutty flavor.

Plants have stunning, nectar rich crimson flowers that develop into short, upright pods of tender beans. Bees flock to it and it also attracts Sphinx moths! Since it’s prettier than most broad bean varieties, it’s an ideal choice for growing in small gardens and ornamental borders. It is a nitrogen fixer that likes moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Plant in March for May flower and harvest, or in Fall for overwintering cover crop. 

Crimson Flowering Favas were first documented in the 18th century in England. This variety was brought back from the edge of extinction when the last few seeds in existence were donated by the Cutbush family to the Henry Doubleday Research Association. The association grew the seeds out and here are their descendants.

The plants are multi-stemmed and grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall. The pods are small and upright and have 3-5 medium sized green seeds. The tender new leaves and blossoms are edible and make a nice addition to salads. 

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot for your beans in soil that is well-drained and fertile.  Fava beans are also tolerant of clay and saline soils and, once established, drought.

Fava beans are direct seeded in the spring or fall, when soil temperatures are between 42° and 70°F. 

Spring-sown seeds will mature in about 90 days, while fall-sown seeds will mature in 240 days (over winter). 


This is still a very rare variety and difficult to find, The few big seed houses that carry it are usually sold out. I started with 7 seeds and have not been eating them, but saving seeds for 2 seasons, in order to have these available in a very limited amount.  

Package contains 6 seeds.