Perennial Runner Bean?

[vegilin]

Having acquired an allotment this year, I no longer need to grow my runner beans round the pergola in my garden where they usually grow. I was amazed a few weeks ago when wandering around I noticed a strong healthy runner bean plant growing! My first thought was that it was a bean which had seeded itself but on further inspection I notice three or four plants, all strong and growing well. I hadnt dug up the roots of the beans I grrew last year and so I wonder if the runner bean is an annual or a perennial veg? I have a very sheltered garden here in the south and many things seem to overwinter without any trouble.I would like to know because the beans in my garden are much stronger and earlier than the ones I have nurtured on the lottie!

[rustylady]

Probably tender perennial. Frost usually kills them off, but we didn't have a hard winter this year so some may have survived.

[Snadger]

I have read somewhere (could have been on the vine!) that they are a half hardy perennial, as are chillies!
Apparently they can be lifted like chrysanthemum stools and planted the following season or in a mild winter they could survive in situ.
Chillies are supposed to be better the second year so hopefully the same will apply to runner beans.
Good luck with them vegilin and let us know how they get on!

[shirlthegirl43]

Can definately say that chillies are more prolific the second year. I kept mine in the dining room beside the patio doors over last winter - it is absolutely covered in red and green chillies and flowering like crazy - anyone want some cayenne chillies?