I am wondering the same thing. I saw a video posted on YouTube where a guy had planted pole beans with his Mammoth sunflowers. It seemed that the plants were performing well together but if anyone else has any experiences with the two I'd like to hear about it.

If they are both from the same species, and most snap beans, both pole and bush, are from the phaseolus vulgaris species, then they can cross. Having said that, I have to admit, that in 24 years of saving bean seeds, I might have seen such a cross, just once. And, the first couple of years I didn't give my beans any isolation distance. So crosses with these beans, though possible, are not awfully common. If you can give the two kinds of beans even 15' of space between them, especially with something tall growing between them, then you are probably not going to see a cross. Also, if you can't do this, I wouldn't discourage you from saving seed. Just try to do it in the future and be sure to weed out any plants with atypical growth or fruit, in the next generation. I'm pretty sure that some varieties of beans are more prone to crossing than others. This year I'm trying to make a cross between two greasy beans, so I planted them, mixed, on the same poles and will replant seed next year. But even having done that, I expect that at least 99% of what I plant next year will still breed true to the original two varieties. Hope this helps! George Tahlequah, OK

Anyone else have experience with these varieties? No, but I have experience with deer, I am about to give up on any beans or peas, they eat them all!

From what I have read about them - no claims to accuracy - they can be pole (both tall and short climb), bush, half runner, etc. and all mixed in the same row according to one grower I read on another forum. They aren't stable genetically and it all depends on the genetics of the particular bean planted what type of plant you get. I get the impression they are mostly pole type but so few grow them that it is difficult to get accurate info. You be the tester on this one and report back to us as to what happens. :) Dave