This ornamental vine is native to the tropical regions of Africa and is cultivated extensively in Asia and North Africa for its edible burgundy colored fruit pods, which, like the flowers, are highly ornamental. The hyacinth bean, also known as Egyptian and Indian bean, was introduced to European gardens by the early 1700s and was sold by American nurserymen by the early 19th century. In 1812, Thomas Jefferson noted "Arbor beans white, scarlet, crimson, purple. at the trees of the level on both sides of the terrasses, and on long walk of [kitchen] garden."1 Although Jefferson does not specifically cite this species, hyacinth bean was sold by his favorite nurseryman, Bernard McMahon, in 1804, and it is possible that Jefferson's "purple" bean was the Dolichos lablab.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Hyacinth Bean.
Typical Blooming Dates: July - November
Color(s): Pink, Purple, White
Location at Monticello: Vegetable Garden
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
Further Sources
- Cornett, Peggy. "Jefferson's Vines of Summer: Beauties and Beasts." Twinleaf (January 1994).
- Seeds available for purchase at Monticello Museum Shop.
- Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
Footnotes
1. Betts, Garden Book, 474. For the manuscript page, see Garden Book, 1766-1824, page 48, by Thomas Jefferson [electronic edition], Thomas Jefferson Papers: An Electronic Archive (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2003).
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