Hyacinth Beans

I've become enamored with this lovely fall plant. It's called hyacinth bean. We don't grow it as an edible, tho it could be. Just check carefully because it's one of those "careful how you eat this" foods. (See the link above.) The foliage is very prolific and grows quickly to fill a trellis. The purple flowers give way to the bright purple bean pod with very leathery and shiny skin. The pods make great "flower" arrangements, either as a supplement to a larger arrangement or on their own. The bean pods last a long time, too.