Pole bean 'Auntie Wilder'

Award-winning Swedish family bean!
Some beans are passed down from generation to generation, simply because no one wants to lose them. 'Auntie Wilder' is one such variety. At the end of the 19th century, a Swedish emigrant brought this bean to the United States. For more than a century, it remained within families until it was eventually adopted by the Seed Savers Exchange and gained recognition in Europe as well.

The vigorously growing plants bear long, flat, dark purple pods approximately 18 cm long. When harvested young, they are remarkably tender, juicy, and sweet in taste. During cooking, the purple color changes to fresh green, while the excellent taste is retained.
The flowers are also special: soft purple and beautifully contrasting with the dark green foliage. If you let the pods ripen completely, large, light brown to beige seeds are formed, which can be excellently used as dried beans. This makes 'Auntie Wilder' a variety that offers plenty of possibilities both fresh and dried.

In 2015, this bean was declared the winner of the annual snap bean taste test by the Seed Savers Exchange. A greater compliment for an old family bean is hardly imaginable.

Names:

• Latin: Phaseolus vulgaris
• Dutch: Stokslabonen 'Auntie Wilder'
• Also known as: Klimmende Prinsessenbonen
• English: Snapbean - Pole