View Larger Pole Bean

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Fruit Garden & Nursery Lower Garden Pioneer Farm Upper Garden

  • Fruit Garden & Nursery
  • Lower Garden
  • Pioneer Farm
  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend

    Pole beans, such as kidney and butter or lima beans, produce long vines that do best when supported on some type of trellis. They are prolific growers and can easily cover a trellis in the course of a season while producing many beans which can be eaten fresh or dried.

    Latin Name

    Phaseolus vulgaris


    Family

    Fabaceae


    Also Known As

    Runner bean , Snap bean , Green bean , String bean


    Type of Plant

    Annuals Annuals
    Vegetables Vegetables

    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 15'
    Max spread Max Spread: 3'

    Uses

  • Annual
  • Edible
  • Vegetable

  • Colors


    History

    George Washington grew many acres of several varieties of beans, and advocated planting the pole beans with corn for support. In a letter to his farm manager, William Pearce, in May of 1785, he wrote " I have heard much of the white (homony) Bean as being very productive, and a ready sale: suppose you were to devote an Acre of Corn ground to this purpose, to see what the yield would be: or, if they would do without something to run upon, & support them, to plant an acre or two without Corn, in No. 6 at Union farm..."


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Sold at Mount Vernon Sold at Mount Vernon

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

    Shop Now
    Login
    Buy Tickets Activities Calendar Shop Restaurant Give Membership
    Estate Hours

    9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    iconDirections & Parking
    buy tickets online & save