Beans ‘Magpie’, a striking and productive variety that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. This is a climbing French bean known for its slender green pods and its dramatic, mottled black-and-white seeds—hence the name “Magpie.” Not only is it a reliable cropper, but it also adds a touch of character to the veggie patch.

‘Magpie’ beans originated from traditional French climbing beans, which have been grown in Europe for hundreds of years. Over time, plant breeders selected varieties with unique seed markings, and ‘Magpie’ became popular for both its ornamental appeal and its excellent eating quality.

Nutritionally, beans are a very healthy choice. The fresh pods are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with folate, iron, and dietary fibre. They’re low in calories but high in plant-based protein, making them a wonderful addition to vegetarian and vegan diets. The dried seeds can also be saved and cooked, providing even more protein, complex carbohydrates, and minerals such as magnesium and potassium.

In the garden, ‘Magpie’ is a vigorous climber that grows up to 2 metres tall, so it will need a trellis, netting, or a bean teepee for support. The plants produce an abundance of straight, stringless pods around 15–20 cm long, which are tender and delicious when picked young. Being a climber, it takes up little ground space while providing big harvests, making it perfect for smaller gardens.

How to Grow:

To grow from seed, sow directly into the soil after the last frost when the ground has warmed.

Plant seeds about 2–3 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart at the base of your support structure. Beans don’t like being transplanted, so direct sowing is best.

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged while they germinate, which usually takes 7–10 days.

Once the plants take off, they’ll scramble happily up their supports, producing flowers followed by pods within 8–10 weeks.

For a longer harvest, pick beans regularly—this encourages the plant to keep producing.