Broad beans can be sown in autumn for an early crop the following year, or in spring. In Scotland, an autumn sowing has to get through the winter, and many plots are windy, so hardiness and height decide which variety to grow.
Quick answer
Aquadulce Claudia for autumn sowing. The Sutton for a windy plot or a container, Witkiem Manita for a spring sowing and an early crop, and Dreadnought for more beans per pod.
What Scotland means for the choice
Aquadulce Claudia is rated H5, hardy in most places even in severe winters, and it's the variety recommended for autumn sowing and overwinteringKeeping a plant alive and intact through the cold months, whether left outdoors, moved under cover, or stored dormant. Full definition →. The others are less hardy: Witkiem Manita is H4, and The Sutton and Dreadnought H3The RHS's H1a–H7 scale for how much cold a plant can survive outdoors, H1a being tender indoor-only and H7 hardy anywhere in the UK. Full definition →, hardy only in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK, so sow them in spring or protect an autumn sowing with a clocheA small, portable clear cover placed over an individual plant or short row to trap warmth and keep off wind, rain and pests. Full definition → or fleeceA lightweight, breathable fabric laid or draped over plants to trap a little warmth and keep off frost, wind and some flying pests. Full definition →. Wind is the other factor: Scotland is wetter and windier than the English lowlands, and tall broad beans need staking. The broad bean growing guide covers sowing times, spacing, staking and picking.
| Variety | Hardiness | Height | Pods | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquadulce Claudia | H5 | 1–1.5m | Up to 25cm, about 6 beans | Autumn sowing |
| The Sutton | H3 | Dwarf, under 50cm | Up to 15cm, about 6 beans | Windy sites and containers |
| Witkiem Manita | H4 | 0.5–1m | No figure given | Spring sowing, early crop |
| Dreadnought | H3 | 1–1.5m | Long, slender, up to 20cm, 7–8 beans | More beans per pod |
All four hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGMThe RHS's Award of Garden Merit: a UK-wide trials award for reliable performance, not a Scotland-specific recommendation. Full definition →), a UK-wide award rather than a Scottish one.
Aquadulce Claudia
Aquadulce Claudia is the hardiest of the four and the one to sow in autumn and overwinter. It also has long pods, up to 25cm, with about six white beans. It grows to 1–1.5m, so it needs staking, especially on a windy plot.
The Sutton
The Sutton is a dwarf, bushy variety, ideal for containers and windy sites, with pods up to 15cm. Grown in a double row, dwarf plants can support each other without staking. At H3 it's less hardy, so it's best sown in spring, or in autumn under a cloche.
Witkiem Manita and Dreadnought
Witkiem Manita is sown in spring and grows fast for an early crop, on a plant of 0.5–1m, so it's the one if you've missed the autumn sowing or don't want to risk overwintering. Dreadnought is a heritage variety with blue-green foliage and long, slender pods up to 20cm holding seven or eight beans, more than Aquadulce Claudia or The Sutton. It's tall and rated H3, so give it support and a spring sowing.
Which one for your situation
- An autumn sowing for an early crop: Aquadulce Claudia.
- A windy, exposed plot: The Sutton, sown in spring.
- A container or small raised bed: The Sutton.
- A spring sowing only: Witkiem Manita.
- More beans per pod: Dreadnought.
All four share the same problems: blackfly, chocolate spot, rust, pea and bean weevil and, in stored seed, broad bean seed beetle. None is bred to resist them.
Common questions
Can I sow broad beans in autumn in Scotland?
Yes, with Aquadulce Claudia, the hardiest (H5) and the variety recommended for overwintering. The others are less hardy, so give an autumn sowing of them a cloche or fleece, or sow in spring.
Which broad bean suits a windy garden?
The Sutton, a dwarf variety ideal for windy sites. Tall varieties such as Aquadulce Claudia and Dreadnought need staking.
Does any broad bean resist chocolate spot or blackfly?
No. None is bred to resist them, so good airflow and early action matter more than the variety.
Sources
Show the 6 sources
- How to Grow Broad Beans: AGM varieties and descriptions; Aquadulce Claudia for autumn sowing; The Sutton for containers and windy sites; dwarf plants in double rows
- Vicia faba 'Aquadulce Claudia': H5, height, pods, beans per pod, pests and diseases
- Vicia faba 'The Sutton': H3, dwarf height, pods, beans per pod
- Vicia faba 'Dreadnought': H3, height, foliage, pods, beans per pod
- Vicia faba 'Witkiem Manita': H4, height
- Hardiness rating definitions: H3 and H5 definitions