[QUOTE=budfaux;419215]kath, I grew Helda several years back.
If memory serves, similar to Early Riser. Great flavor and production.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, budfaux!

Another vote for Purple Peacock. Very reliable and productive, trouble free pole bean, flavor is okay not special. Smeraldo is the best flavors for flat-pooded beans I've ever grown.

Fortex is a great fresh eating bean but as noted, Japanese Beetles LOVE IT!

Rattlesnake is a great try. Productive, attractive, good flavor, does well in the heat and makes a nice dried bean as well.

Nor'easter and Potomac (white seeded from Victory) were both very productive in the heat and humidity and both had good flavor.

I ordered several packs from Heirlooms.org and Bill sent a free sampler pack of beans with the order. If you order just the sampler it's $6 plus shipping. There are about 10-15 different varieties in it. You won't know the names but it's a good way to get a start and find one you might like.

Thanks for all the replies. We all benefit from exchanges lke this.

jon:yes::wait:

I've tried a few green pole beans, I do like the flavor of Blue Lake best so far.
But for a yellow, I just LOVE Neckargold. Tender and lovely flavor.

Neckargold is one of those beans that I have enjoyed, but hate growing. It can be grown here, but produces a very small crop before the heat hits. There are other beans that were less productive, but Neckargold I think of as a tease. It produces just enough beans to like them, but not enough to do much with except eat fresh.

That's a shame - they have always been very productive for me.