Scarlet Emperor Runner Bean

Scarlet Runner Beans possess an amazing zeal for life. They do one thing and do it well: grow like mad. This does mean that you should be careful where you plant it. But it also means that you're nearly guaranteed a beautiful mass of pretty green leaves, striking red blossoms, and easy-to-grow food: the beans are edible as young pods but traditionally this is a soup bean. Harvest after the pods have dried. Need a spot that needs summertime screening? Sow some scarlet runners and watch your view improve--fast. Needs little tending; just keep the weeds down when young, then watch them go!

These four photos are from Seed Library member Alice Velky who has been gardening since the age of 7 when she was put in charge of her family's strawberry patch. She still enjoys playing in the dirt, watching things grow and eating them.