Blue Lake Pole Beans are renowned for their crisp, flavorful pods that are a vibrant green color. These beans grow on climbing vines, requiring support like trellises or poles. They are favored for their tender texture and are ideal for fresh eating, whether snapped fresh or cooked in a variety of dishes. Blue Lake beans are also noted for their productivity, with plants yielding a generous harvest over an extended period if kept picked.
The Blue Lake Pole Bean was developed in the early 1900s by plant breeder Calvin Lamborn, aiming to combine the best traits of Blue Lake bush beans and Kentucky Wonder pole beans. Originating in the United States, this variety was cultivated to offer the robust growth of pole beans with the quality of the Blue Lake bean's flavor and texture. Over time, its popularity led to the creation of a bush variety, but the pole version remains cherished for its prolific yield and the traditional method of pole bean cultivation.