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Growing Shirohana Fujimame Hyacinth Beans in the Vegetable Garden

Sow seeds in the early summer, well after the last frost, in a warm, sunny location. The soil should be moist during germination. However, cold, wet soil will cause the seeds to rot before sprouting. If you are container gardening, be sure to provide a deep container for Hyacinth Beans. As the plants become established, allow the soil to dry between deep waterings. If the plants look pale throughout the season, boost them with a low-nitrogen fertilizer

Save space and prepare for a high-quality bean harvest by training Shirohana Fujimame beans to climb a sturdy trellis. After the harvest, leave the roots in the ground to decompose and release nitrogen into the soil for next year's crops. Most Oriental gardening books will list these as just Lablab Beans.

Harvesting Shirohana Fujimame Hyacinth Beans

You can harvest Shirohana Fujimame beans at different stages, depending on how you plan to use them. For snap beans, pick the pods when they are young, tender, and about 3-4 inches long (typically around 65-75 days after sowing). They should still be pliable, and the seeds inside will be small. If you're harvesting dry beans, wait until the pods mature fully, turn brown, and dry out on the vine, which takes around 90-100 days.

For young snap beans, gently snip or twist the pods off the vine to avoid damaging the plant. For mature, dry beans, allow the pods to dry on the vine, then pick and shell them. You can also hang the harvested pods in a well-ventilated area to continue drying before shelling.

About Shirohana Fujimame Hyacinth Bean Garden Seeds

Boil or steam the hyacinth beans until just tender. Drain off the liquid and toss the beans in a vinaigrette with diced onion, torn crisp lettuce, chopped hard-boiled eggs, grated parmesan cheese, olives, and fresh herbs. It creates a delicious Italian-inspired bean salad that will have everyone asking for more!

Hyacinth beans are originally native to Africa but are widely grown throughout Asia. They can also be called bataw, seven sons, bian dou, dau vang, Egyptian bean, fujimame, ho dhambala, kacang kera, kacang koro, kulthi, lablab bean, pin dou, pin tou, bonavist bean, tseuk tau, que dou, rou dou, thua paep, and tseuktau.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"The beautiful Longwood Gardens in Philidephia occasionally use Lablab Bean varieties such as this one as a purely ornamental spectacle. The Shirohana Fujimame Hyacinth Bean is breathtaking in the garden and the kitchen."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer