- Botanical name: Vicia faba 'Optica'
- Common name: Broad bean
- Family: Papilionaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
Green
- Key features:
- Prefers rich soil
- Attractive to wildlife
Broad beans, Vicia faba, are easy to grow, bearing an early crop of delicious, tender beans suitable for using in the first of the summer salads.
Vicia faba ‘Optica’ has a compact growing habit, making it ideal for growing in smaller gardens and even containers. It bears medium length pods of succulent white beans.
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Pinch out growing tips in spring to deter blackfly, and support plants in exposed gardens.
How to grow Vicia 'Optica'
-
Plant size
100cm height
25cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do Harvest in May |
J
Do Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do not Harvest in August |
S
Do not Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Vicia 'Optica' and wildlife
Vicia 'Optica' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Vicia 'Optica' poisonous?
Vicia 'Optica' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Vicia 'Optica'
