Product Overview
Dragon’s Tongue is a visually striking Dutch heirloom bush bean known for its flat pods that reach six to eight inches long, showcasing a creamy yellow base boldly brushed with deep purple striping that intensifies with sun exposure. Harvested young, the pods are tender, juicy, and completely stringless, offering a crisp snap and a naturally sweet, buttery flavour. The compact plants are highly productive, reaching maturity in approximately fifty five to sixty days and continuing to set pods over an extended harvest period. Dragon’s Tongue is exceptionally versatile in the kitchen, performing beautifully as a fresh snap bean or allowed to fully mature for shelling as a dry bean. When cooked, the purple markings fade to a warm buttery yellow, but the pleasing texture and rich, nutty bean character remain, making this variety a favourite for growers and cooks seeking both standout appearance and dependable culinary performance.
Dragon’s Tongue Bush Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Dutch heirloom bush bean prized for its flat, creamy yellow pods boldly striped with deep purple. Tender, stringless, and sweet when young, with excellent versatility for fresh eating or shelling when mature.
| Days to Maturity | 55–60 days |
| Plant Size | Compact bush habit, typically 18–24" tall |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended; beans prefer direct sowing |
| Direct Sow | Sow outdoors after all danger of frost when soil is warm |
| Seed Depth / Germination | Sow 1" deep. Germinates in 7–10 days in warm soil |
| Spacing | Space plants 4–6" apart; rows 18–24" apart |
| Soil & Water | Well drained, fertile soil. Water consistently, especially during flowering and pod development. |
| Special Traits | Stringless pods; dual purpose snap or shell bean; extended harvest; decorative pods that fade to yellow when cooked. |
| Flavor & Uses | Sweet, buttery flavour with crisp texture when young. Excellent fresh, sautéed, steamed, or shelled when fully mature. |
| Harvest | Harvest young pods regularly to encourage continued production; allow pods to mature fully for shelling beans. |
