Agree. Big seeds like runner beans would need a bubble envelope to send in to avoid damage and with the postage to send it would make the cost about equal to that of a packet picked up off the seed rack at a garden center.

Rodney

If I may ask... what is the intended purpose of the runner beans? Will they be used for snaps, dry beans, to attract hummingbirds, or just for their decorative flowers? Only a few runner bean varieties are typically sold in stores (at least here in the U.S.) so you still might have more options available by trading.

Yes, the postage for bubble mailers can be a bear. I send out a lot of beans & the PO has really targeted bubble mailers in recent years, especially when they reclassified BMs as packages.

I assumed that if the OP wanted a named cultivar s/he would have specified which. It is referred to as 'this heirloom seed' but no cultivar is named. There are dozens available in the U.K. The RHS trial tested 48.

Thanks everyone. Good point about postage. No particular cultivar. I have been growing this plant for its flowers. I mixed it with the cucumbers that climbed on the trellis. It adds an romantic touch to the garden! I always let it grown too old on the vine to be harvested as food. I saved the seeds and put it in the jar for the following year.... but my last year supply turned into a jar of mold.

I think I will go to a few high end nursery to see if they have it in stock. Thanks!

Very easy to find seeds for....all the major seed companies carry them. Territorial, Johnny's, Select Seeds, Burpee's, Fedco, etc.

Next time make sure the beans are dry and don't put a lid on the jar. A paper bagwould be even better. They keep easily. I just chuck mine into any old container (no lid). I've kept them in the kitchen and in the porch. They still germinate.

Btw to keep them flowering keep picking the beans.

You can order several runner bean varieties from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for $3.50 a pack. They have free shipping and will include a bonus pack of some other type of seed, too.

I'd expect most places that stock very many seed packs would have these, too. Botanical Interests is one that is sold at garden centers around here and they have Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans with bright flowers.

Sometimes the runner bean packs are displayed with the flowers so look at both the veggie rack and flower rack.

Scarlet Emperor is a heavy cropping, tasty bean. It would be an awful waste to grow it and not eat it.

What zone are you in?

Scarlet Runners can be perennial. The leaves die back in winter but they will come back bigger and stronger from the roots.

Check the ground where your scarlet runners were last year. If there are big thick rhizome-looking roots there then you're going to be OK.

OP is in NJ, 7a.

Even in my region runner beans are not dependably perennial. Usually about 4 will survive from a dozen. And my soil never freezes. In my garden those which overwinter are always later to fruit than seed sown plants.

Yes, looking to put an order in with Baker Creek tonight. Problem is, I can't order just one thing!

Guess you're not the only one I always get carried away when ordering at Baker Creek

I have a lot of Scarlet Runner Beans, that I saved from my own plants. They have to be at least 3 years old if not more. They have been refrigerated. I can check the date on them, if you are still looking for them.

Thanks for the offer. I just placed thr order at rareseeds.com.

You're welcome, sorry I didn't see this thread, sooner. :-) . Good luck!