Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler' (Runner bean 'Butler')

Botanical name

Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler'

Other names

Runner bean 'Butler'

Genus

Phaseolus Phaseolus

Variety or Cultivar

'Butler' _ 'Butler' is a self-fertile perennial climber, often treated as an annual, with coral to red flowers, usually starting in early summer, and long, smooth, fleshy, stringless, edible pods usually ready for harvest in midsummer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Strongly scented flowers.

Habit

Climbing

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Colour

Flower

Red in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Bean seed fly , Pea and bean weevil , Seed beetle , Slugs , Snails , Thrips

Specific diseases

Chocolate spot , Downy mildew , Foot and root rot , Halo blight , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Shade will be cast by these tall, dense plants. Provide strong, rigid support for growing stems. In growth, ensure plants twine around canes. Remove the growing point once the plant has reached the top of the supports. Harvest is dependent upon sowing tim

Propagation

Starts seed early under glass or in a cold frame in mid-spring. Or, sow in late spring, 2 seeds 5cm deep, 20cm apart with 60cm between rows.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler' (Runner bean 'Butler') will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flower Arranging, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in ground where beans were not grown the previous year. Incorporate well-rotted manure before planting & apply a general purpose fertilizer one week before planting. Feed every 2 wks

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler' (Runner bean 'Butler')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Prodiplosis longifila

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous gall midge present in the Americas; where it causes damage to outdoor and glasshouse crops. Europe-wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler' (Runner bean 'Butler')

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Phaseolus coccineus 'Butler' (Runner bean 'Butler')

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/