CyberSalad: Garden Pursuits: Annuals: Hyacinth Bean

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Dolichos lablab

     Hyacinth beans are rapidly climbing vines from the tropics with large, decorative leaves and long spikes of puple or white pealike flowers. They will climb 15 to 30 feet in a single summer. The name is misleading; hyacinth beans are not true beans, which belong to the genus Phaseolus, nor are they related to hyacinths.
     Hycinth beans grow so rapidly, even in average soil, that they are useful as a quick covering wherever vines are needed, as on a fence or trellis. But since they are tropical plants, they do well in the cold climates of Zones 3-4 only if planted in a warm, sunny, sheltered place. The plant is a perennial in frost-free climates of Zones 9-10.
     Since hyacinth beans are difficult to transplant, sow the seed directly in the garden where they are to grow when you can be sure night temperatures will not drop below 50 degrees F. Space plants a foot or more apart. Provide cord or wire supports for the tendrils to cling to. In Zones 3-5, earlier flowering can be achieved by starting seeds indoors, six to eight weeks before the last frost is due. Sow seeds in individual 3-inch peat pots and move them, pots and all, to the garden when all danger of frost is past.

		5/4/01. Seemed to take forever, but seeds finally sprouted.
		5/18/01. I've sure seen better looking plants.
		5/23/01. Looking better.
		6/11/01. Coming along.
		6/18/01. Starting to climb.
		7/12/01. Filling out nicely now.
		7/16/01. To the roof!
		8/8/01. Lots of foliage but NO blooms or pods! What's up with this?

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Site launched January 1, 2000.
Site updated September 1, 2007.