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Broad Bean Varieties

Broad beans (fava beans) are a hardy, reliable staple for UK gardens and allotments. With options for autumn and spring sowing, compact dwarfs for small spaces, and richly flavoured beans for the kitchen, the right variety will make a real difference to your harvest.

This guide focuses on trusted broad bean seeds stocked by Growseed. Use the quick-pick lists and comparison table to choose the variety that fits your plot, season and taste.

Quick Picks

Variety Profiles

Aquadulce Claudia

  • UK favourite for autumn/early winter sowing (Oct–Nov) with excellent frost tolerance.
  • Early to crop the following late spring; long pods with generous bean counts.
  • Ideal where you want to beat blackfly pressure with an earlier harvest.

Witkiem Manita

  • Versatile: sow in autumn or spring; tough, dependable plants.
  • Consistently high yields of large, classic-flavoured beans.
  • Good choice for unpredictable UK springs and exposed plots.

The Sutton Dwarf

  • Compact (approx. 30–45cm) and sturdy; needs little staking.
  • Perfect for containers, raised beds and windy sites.
  • Shorter pods but heavy cropping for the space.

Robin Hood

  • Neat, truly dwarf habit (~30cm) with excellent pod set.
  • Tender, sweet beans; great in small gardens and square-foot systems.
  • Pairs well with a spring sowing window.

Dreadnought

  • Tall, vigorous plants bred for yield and long, well-filled pods.
  • Suited to open ground and allotments where you can space and stake.
  • Classic rich, nutty flavour; a reliable bulk producer.

Karmazyn

  • Beautiful pink beans with a sweet, nutty character.
  • Best sown in spring; superb for colourful summer dishes and salads.
  • Cook lightly to keep the colour vivid.

Red Epicure

  • Deep-red beans that hold their hue when lightly cooked.
  • Distinctive nutty flavour; a real talking point on the plot and plate.
  • Spring sowing recommended for best results.

Broad Bean Comparison Table

Variety Habit / Height Best Sowing Window Key Traits Flavour Profile Link
Aquadulce Claudia Medium-tall Autumn–early winter Frost-hardy, earliest harvests Nutty, earthy View
Witkiem Manita Medium-tall Autumn or spring Very reliable, high yields Classic bean View
The Sutton Dwarf Dwarf (30–45cm) Spring Wind-tolerant, container friendly Mild, sweet View
Robin Hood Dwarf (~30cm) Spring Very compact, neat plants Sweet, tender View
Dreadnought Tall Spring Long pods, heavy cropping Rich, nutty View
Karmazyn Medium-tall Spring Pink seeds, plate appeal Nutty, slightly sweet View
Red Epicure Medium-tall Spring Red beans, striking colour Nutty, tender View

Sowing & Growing Tips (from customer FAQs)

  • Spacing: Sow 5–7cm deep, 20–25cm apart, with 45–60cm between rows. Dwarf types can be closer; tall types benefit from double rows for easy staking.
  • Autumn vs spring: Overwintering with Aquadulce Claudia gives the earliest crops and usually outruns blackfly. Spring sowings (Feb–Apr) suit The Sutton Dwarf, Robin Hood, Witkiem Manita, Dreadnought, Karmazyn and Red Epicure.
  • Support: Dwarf types often need none; tall types benefit from canes and string or a mesh windbreak.
  • Pinching tips: Pinch out the top 5–8cm once first pods set to reduce blackfly pressure and encourage pod fill (also delicious steamed).
  • Soil & feed: Beans like fertile, well-drained soil. Add compost before sowing; avoid high-nitrogen feeds once established.
  • Harvest stage: For the sweetest flavour, pick when beans are still plump but skins tender. For Karmazyn and Red Epicure, cook lightly to keep colour.

Which Variety Should I Choose?

Browse the full range here: Growseed Broad Bean Seeds.