Description

Bean Mountain White Half Runner
Phaseolus vulgaris

Climbing shelling bean. Requires a 2-meter-high support. Delicious small white beans, to be harvested shelled or dry. Shells easily. Early and very productive. An ancient variety grown by German settlers in the Dutch Fork region of South Carolina. Hence its other name, Old Dutch Half Runner. 90 days to maturity.

Full sun, well drained soil. Direct sowing after the last frost or indoor sowing 10 days before. 2 cm deep and 15 cm apart.

Germination: 99% in December 2025
Ecological seeds produced at Catherine’s Ornamental Garden.

Note
Described as a 3-foot semi-climber that can even be grown without a support. But given the height of our plants, over 8 feet, we recommend a support…

We’ve also read that beans that are still green and young make good filet beans. Unless you have the patience to remove the threads, in our opinion, this bean is far too fibrous to be enjoyed as is. It’s at its best in the fresh-shelled or dry stage. The small white beans have a soft, creamy texture, the skin is very thin and the flavor excellent.

Not to be confused with White Half Runner, which is a runner bean phaseolus coccineus.