What hardiness zones is Vicia faba 'Aquadulce' suitable for?

Vicia faba 'Aquadulce' (also known as 'Aquadulce Claudia') is an annual vegetable reaching 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) tall with a spread of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and an upright, stiff, single-stemmed habit with square stems. A Spanish heirloom fava bean (broad bean), it produces long, thick, pendant pods 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) long containing 5-7 large, flat, pale green beans. The name 'Aquadulce' means 'sweet water' in Spanish. Among the most cold-tolerant fava beans—sown in autumn for overwintering in zones 7-10, producing a spring crop weeks before spring-sown types. Days to maturity 80-90 from spring sowing, or 180-200 from fall sowing (overwintered). Growth rate is moderate. Nitrogen-fixing. Stiff upright stems resist lodging better than most favas.

Native Range

Vicia faba originated in the Mediterranean and Near East—among the oldest cultivated crops (8000+ years). 'Aquadulce' is a Spanish heirloom.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—fresh shelled, double-peeled (remove outer skin for tender bright green interior), soups, falafel (Egyptian origin), risotto. Longest fava pods 8-10 in. Most cold-tolerant—overwintering z7-10. Spanish heirloom. Nitrogen-fixing cover crop. Autumn-sown. Contains vicine—can cause favism in G6PD-deficient individuals. Susceptible to black bean aphid on growing tips.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Broad Windsor' by the longer pods (8-10 versus 5-7 inches), the autumn-sowing/overwintering capability, the greater cold tolerance, and the Spanish (versus English) origin. Distinguished from lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) by the cool-season (versus warm-season) preference, the thick velvety pod lining, and the different genus. Aquadulce—longest fava pod, most cold-tolerant (overwintering z7-10), Spanish heirloom, autumn-sown, sweet water.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 4'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Clusters of white flowers with distinctive black-purple blotch (eye) on wing petals from late spring. Fragrant—sweet honey-like scent. Attracts bumblebees, which are the primary pollinators. Each flower cluster produces 2-4 pods.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with black-purple eye blotch; fragrant; clusters; late spring

Foliage Description

Blue-green; pinnately compound; on stiff square stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

80-90 days (spring-sown); 180-200 days (fall-sown overwintered)

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow in autumn (October-November) in zones 7-10 for overwintered spring harvest, or early spring 4-6 weeks before last frost in colder zones. Moist, fertile, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Nitrogen-fixing—inoculate with Rhizobium if first time. Stake tall plants if exposed to wind. Days to maturity 80-90 spring-sown, 180-200 fall-sown. Pinch growing tips when pods begin to form—reduces aphid problems. Harvest when pods are plump and beans visible through pod wall.

Pruning

Pinch growing tips when bottom pods begin to form—redirects energy to pod fill and reduces black bean aphid infestation on tender tips. Stake in exposed locations.

Pruning Schedule

late spring