Lady Di

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant and richly colored, Lady Di pole beans arrive with slender, elegant pods that hold a tender snap and a smooth, glossy skin.

Flavor is delicately sweet with a green-bean freshness that shines whether you enjoy them straight from the garden or turn them into vibrant sautés, quick pickles, and silky sauces. A favorite for home growers who want long, steady harvests on a vigorous climbing trellis—pods stay attractive and flavorful as they come in.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lady Di pole beans cook up with a clean, sweet snap and keep their glossy, tender skin—exactly what you want for fast, high-heat treatment where they don’t turn starchy. Use them to carry lemony brightness, buttery richness, or a quick pickle tang without losing their garden-fresh edge.

Best Uses

flash sautéed in hot olive oil with garlic until just tender-crisp
quick pickles for a bright, candy-snap bite
silky pan sauce (reduce with stock, a knob of butter, and bean liquid) to coat pasta

Flavor Profile

delicately sweet snap green-bean freshness with a faint floral fragrance tender, smooth skin that stays glossy and crisp when cooked right

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil butter parmesan white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Phaseolus coccineus (scarlet runner bean), and how do I treat them?

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are often hit by rust (orange-brown pustules on leaves) and fungal leaf spots, especially when foliage stays wet. Remove and destroy infected leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead), improve air flow with proper spacing, and spray with a labeled copper-based fungicide at the first signs of rust/spotting. Aphids and bean thrips may also appear—knock them off with a strong water spray and use insecticidal soap if needed, focusing on leaf undersides.

How often should I water Phaseolus coccineus during peak growth to keep pod production steady?

During active flowering and pod growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid letting the top few inches dry out completely because runner beans will drop flowers and slow pod set. Mulch lightly to reduce moisture swings, which helps prevent stress-related yellowing.

How can I tell when Phaseolus coccineus ‘Lady Di’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are fully formed but still tender—usually around 75 days from sowing—before seeds become hard. Look for pods that snap or bend without stringy resistance, with beans inside still “creamy” rather than bulging and firm. For best eating quality, pick every few days as pods mature, especially once plants start producing heavily.