A dwarf French bean that's earned its popularity with veg growers by cropping weeks before other types, especially if 'Tendergreen' is started under the protection of cloches. The bushy plants grow to about 40cm (16in) and are self-supporting and sturdy, producing a prolific harvest of elegant, stringless, pencil-podded beans, around 15cm (6in) long, pale green with purple speckles and an excellent flavour. Sow March-April under glass, or in succession outdoors from late April until mid-July.