Aren’t they amazing! I was astonished this week when I saw the colour of this year’s field bean blossom. They’ve never turned out like this before.
The beans were sown back in October and the plants were around six inches (15cm) tall when winter struck. I was surprised how well they survived the recurring frosts.
Once they start flowering, they often put on a growth spur which means staking may soon be required. One year they grew nearly as tall as me. But in any event, by early summer each plant will produce a mass of small pods with miniature broad (fava) beans inside.
They are usually grown by farmers for animal feed. They also make good winter cover to protect the soil, dug in the following season as green manure. This is done before flowering. Which means NO BEANS. Which would be a shame. They are delicious (if you like broad beans) and make a very tasty version of humus. Also good for the Tex-Mex refried beans approach. But for now we can just admire the extraordinary flowers. I’m only sorry I can’t pass on their wonderful scent.
Tish Farrell 
Oh yes…they are such a pretty flower.
But very surprising shades, don’t you think, Beverly.
Will they hold up if put in a vase for a day or two?
Fantabulous!
Isn’t it just. I hope it makes some magic beans too 🙂
Here’s hoping!
These are really lovely
Amazing to have such a picturesque vegetable 🙂
Gosh, they really have joined in with the purple theme!
I was so pleased when I discovered them last week. Just the job, I thought.
What a treat! I love broad beans and hummus but for now I’ll just enjoy the colour 🤗💕
What beauty, Tish! I’m also happy to find another person doing Six Word Saturday and Purple. 🙂
janet
I think we’re not the only ones, Janet 🙂
We are not. 🙂
Beautiful.and beautifully photographed!
Thank you, Stephen.
are these fava beans or similar winter-hardy beans?
Yes, they are fava beans, Annette, but the beans themselves are very small.
Mother Nature has the best palette 😀
Such pretty colours! Here most people grow runner beans which have red flowers.
Runner beans are pretty too. Last year I had some with creamy flowers which the bees appeared to love.
They sound lovely – I’m always happy to see the bees 🙂
I have serious flower and bean envy!
Ha!
Gosh Tish so beautiful, you would nearly grow these just as flowers!
They’re brilliant aren’t they 🙂