Decaisnea Fargesii

Decaisnea Fargesii is more commonly known as the Blue Bean Shrub due to its long blue fruits that resemble bean pods. This slow growing deciduous shrub is an unusual and interesting plant that makes a great gift for gardeners who have everything. A native to eastern Asia, Decaisnea Fargesii is a large but slow growing shrub that holds upright stems of dark divided leaves which are often tinged with blue. The individual leaves can measure up to 90cm in length before turning a rich yellow shade in autumn before they fall. Its flowers are long green sepals, with no petals, that hang in panicles up to 45cm long and smell faintly sweet in the evenings – a good source of food for moths. The leaves and flowers of Blue Bean Shrub are something out of the ordinary, but gardeners mainly grow this shrub for the spectacular fruits that resemble blue broad bean pods and measure up to 10cm long. They will often hang in groups of three, and are considered a delicacy in regions of Asia and India. 

How Hardy Is Decaisnea Fargesii?
This plant is fully hardy but needs protection from cold, drying winds in more northerly areas.

How To Use Decaisnea Fargesii
This is a large bush, so it will need space to spread. At its tallest point Blue Bean Shrub can reach up to eight metres in height and the same in width, but this will take up to 20 years. You can prune back growth each year to keep it a manageable size. Due to its sizable nature this plant is best situated at the back of a border with room to grow. It is great in an unusual tree collection or as a stand-alone specimen. If you prefer, Blue Bean Shrub can be kept in a well-watered but free-draining container which will restrict its size.

How To Care For Decaisnea Fargesii
Decaisnea Fargesii grows best in moist environments, but it doesn’t like waterlogged conditions. It fares best in consistently damp soil, and will struggle to fruit in a dry spot. Any type of soil ph is suitable, but it’s best grown in a sheltered spot which is protected from cold winds to encourage the fruiting.

This is a really unusual shrub for a gardener who has everything because it’s a real showstopper when the fruit appears. If you want an interesting shrub for the later summer and autumn months Decaisnea Fargesii is sure to boost the wow factor of your garden.