Dolichos Silver Moon - Lablab bean seeds

This Lablab or Dolichos lablab 'Silver Moon' is a compact variety of climbing bean native to Africa, featuring white flowers. It is grown as an annual plant due to its rapid growth and early flowering. This plant is distinguished by its attractive foliage tinged with burgundy red and its scented clusters of white pea flowers that appear in summer. In autumn, it produces nearly purple, shiny, and highly decorative pods. Egyptian dolichos are ideal for quickly covering a small wire fence, an arch, or a trellis, or for hiding an unwanted view. These sturdy and undemanding plants thrive in full sun in a warm, sheltered location, requiring minimal maintenance.

Dolichos lablab, also known as Lablab purpureus, Lablab niger, Dolique lablab, Lablab, Egyptian Dolique, or Indian Pea, is a frost-sensitive perennial climbing plant of the bean family, Fabaceae. Its origins are likely in Central Africa, but it has been cultivated for a long time, especially in East Africa and Asia as a vegetable plant and as a source of livestock fodder. In Europe, it is primarily the ornamental qualities of selected forms that interest gardeners. It is most often grown as an annual plant in the ground or in a pot, although it can survive brief frosts of around -7°C under a thick protective mulch. This small vine thrives in any well-drained, sufficiently deep soil, even if it is chalky and poor.

'Silver Moon' is a slightly smaller form than the typical species, with white flowers. The plant develops a significant root system, capable of penetrating deep into the soil to draw moisture. Its twining stems do not exceed 3 m and wrap themselves around the support provided (stakes, wire mesh, trellis, shrub). They bear large leaves divided into 3 strongly veined leaflets. The dark green upper surface is washed with purple and bronze, while the underside is purplish pink. Flowering begins approximately 5-6 weeks after sowing, as soon as the temperature exceeds 20°C, and lasts for almost 4 months. From July to September, numerous thin panicles of pea flowers appear at the axils of the leaves. This pleasantly scented flowering attracts many insects and butterflies. The flowers are followed by flat, short, and fairly wide, shiny, dark purple-violet pods with brownish highlights. They contain small dark seeds that can be harvested for resowing the following spring.

The 'Silver Moon' Egyptian dolichos is an original and highly decorative climbing plant that fits well in an ornamental garden, on a terrace or balcony in pots, or among vegetables in a curious gardener's vegetable garden. It is similar to sweet peas and morning glories, forming excellent combinations with these climbers. It is ideal for climbing on structures such as teepees, fences, huts, or trellises against a wall. Although not demanding in terms of water and food, Lablab requires long, hot summers to allow its seeds to fully ripen.