In Bloom: 2009-07-22 Out of Bloom: 2009-11-16 Growth Type: Annual Hardiness Zones: 1 - 10 Location at Monticello: Vegetable Garden Planting Conditions: Full Sun

Hyacinth Bean Dolichos lablab (Click image to enlarge)

The Hyacinth Bean is featured on the arbor in the Monticello vegetable garden and draws countless questions from visitors every year. In the Garden Book in 1812 Jefferson mentioned, "Arbor beans white, scarlet, crimson, purple . . . on the long walk of the garden." This tender annual vine grows to twenty feet and produces attractive purplish-green leaves, showy rose-purple flowers and pods, and unusual black and white seeds. Although not mentioned by Jefferson, Hyacinth Bean was sold by his favorite nurseryman, Bernard McMahon, in 1804. Visit Monticello's Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Hyacinth Bean. Close Window © Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.