I grow them but I think the main reason they are worth growing in my region is the extended spring, with "June gloom" sometimes extending into July. My dad lives in another z9 and they do not grow well for him at all, the springs are too warm. In other words, you need an extended time period when the temperature does not go below 50F or above 90F. More than 90F and you loose the pods. I think it would be a challenge to grow them in TX.

I get a good spring crop, and sometimes a small fall crop. They can overwinter and over-summer here. Yes, I have had some Insuk Wang Kongs (red scarlet runners) come back after being dormant for what we call 'winter', but not all did.

Macmex is right about drought conditions. Some of ours died because we had an irrigation failure on that line and did not realize it until some damage was done.

Oh I see, so it's not really reliable. I was hoping that I could grow it as perenial. Thank you guys.

My climate is very different from yours, kumquatlady, but I have had runner bean tubers overwinter occasionally, though unintentionally. Although runners grow very well indeed here, because of the long spell with moderate temps as cabrita describes, they are not reliably perennial. But there is no harm in your trying. You have nothing to lose. All you need to do is cut down the plants in Autumn but leave the roots in the gound. Mulch them, forget them and see what happens in the spring.

Flora,
You are right, I have nothing to lose by trying. I have small arbor by the walk way from patio to garden I will plant some there and mulch thick. This spot gets morning sun and some afternoon shade. Our Autumn here begins in October and tempature is beautiful mid 80 to 75 degrees every day till mid December. Most people think TX being very hot but East part of TX also have most beautiful weather for almost 8 month out of the year begining October and ends in May being Jan, Fab the coldest. I'm hoping these cool month it will thrive for me and maybe come back too.

Well that long warm Autumn sounds wonderful. Even here I can sometimes pick beans to the end of October, so you might get them into December! Good luck.

p.s. You don't say if you've grown them before, but if you haven't it's important to keep picking the beans. If you don't they will stop flowering.

I have grown runner beans as perennial (in pots) here in Maryland.Try to grow in the pot just for experience. I am posting the pic. of runner bean in pot. {{gwi:132847}}

My runner beans died in August. I live in Central TX, so I think my problem is more with it being too hot in the summer than too cold in the winter.

I have heard that they will come back next year. Cut them low and cover with mulch. I planted Scarlets this year for the first time. Planted a little late in the Spring, lots of foliage and beautiful red flowers that the bees and hummers loved, but no beans. I enjoyed the beautiful bush all Summer, then in mid September we began to get lots and lots of beans, Wow. What a wonderful surprise. I am going to plant them all over my property next early Spring. North Texas.