The Bean Pole Runner Scarlet Emperpr, 'Phaseolus coccineus', has large sprays of brilliant rich, red flowers that contrast against deep green foliage. The Scarlet Emperor is grown for the flowers and the sweet pods. With such magnificent slender clusters of rich red flowers, the Scarlet Emperor is predominantly used as a flowering screen, vine, or fence cover. A little known fact is that this runner bean has an extremely rich beany sweet flavor when picked young. The pods may also be shelled for green or dried beans when pods mature.
The Scarlet Emperor is an annual and is very frost sensitive. Pole types have 3 to 7 foot long vines. They have up to 12 inch long pods at maturity. Plant after the last average frost date. Scarlet Emperor beans prefer rich, organic, well drained, warm soils.