I am wondering the same exact question and also live in zone 7, but in NC USA. How do these 2 vines compare with each other? I intend to try Scarlet Runner Beans for the first time this year, and am an old hand at growing Hyacinth Bean each year. What is the big difference? I suppose the Scarlet Runners are edible, for one thing. Come on, let's get some answers. Perhaps the Hyacinth Beans are much more vigorous. I am guessing. The HB vines go absolutely crazy and the flower stalks are SO large and impressive! I cannot imagine any edible bean getting 20 feet long and having such large flower clusters. Perhaps that is the difference? Anyone else? It may be like comparing apples and oranges?

Hello Beverlysc, I WOULD LIKE SOME OF YOUR HYACINTH BEAN PLEASE. I'm a newbie, please help me out. I just wanna kow what I'm gettting here. QUESTION: Are these the purple bean? Is it the lablab purpurea? Is it a certain variety or is there only one kind? It's different from the scarlet runner bean [phaseolus coccineus] right? I'm still a bit of a plant dummy. We're still learning though.

Runner beans will rot if too wet. I sow them indoors in April or outdoors in late May and water only sparingly. Do not presoak as they risk rotting. Don't winter sow. They need warmth. If you can get them started it may be possible to get a crop as they grow very fast in warm conditions. Mine started cropping about three weeks ago and it's been about 60f here. No way has the soil been 65 - 70! You could also consult the legumophiles on the Bean, pea and legume forum.

Orcascove, You may also want to start the seed indoors a bit before your last freeze date. They won't sprout in cool soil if you plant them out, mine wait until early july when the soil warms to sprout if I plant them directly. I usually pot a few up in early April for Memorial day planting, even those tend to stall until the ground warms, expect flowers very late August through first frost unless you start them indoors.