What hardiness zones is Vigna unguiculata 'Mississippi Silver' suitable for?

Vigna unguiculata 'Mississippi Silver' is a warm-season annual reaching 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall with a spread of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) and a semi-vining, sprawling habit. A Southern US heirloom crowder-type cowpea from Mississippi, it produces long, slender, silver-green pods 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) long containing 12-16 light tan beans with a silver-grey eye marking. Crowder type—beans are packed so tightly in the pod they press against each other, creating flat sides on each bean. Rich, earthy, slightly sweet flavor—more complex than blackeye peas. Days to maturity 65-75 from direct sow for green shell, 80-90 for dry. Growth rate is fast. Heat-loving and drought-tolerant. Semi-vining habit benefits from short support or adjacent plants to lean on.

Native Range

Vigna unguiculata originated in West Africa. 'Mississippi Silver' is a Southern US heirloom from Mississippi.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—Hoppin' John, Southern-style peas and rice, soups, stews, green shell, dry beans. Crowder type—rich earthy flavor, more complex than blackeye. Silver-grey eye on tan beans. Southern heirloom from Mississippi. Semi-vining. Heat-loving. Drought-tolerant. Nitrogen-fixing. 65-90 days. Semi-vining—needs some support or space to sprawl. Not suitable for cool climates.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'California Blackeye' by the semi-vining (versus bush) habit, the silver-grey (versus black) eye marking, the light tan (versus cream-white) base color, the crowder (versus non-crowder) packing, the longer pods (8-10 versus 7-9 inches), and the richer earthier flavor. Mississippi Silver—crowder type (flat-sided beans packed tight), silver-grey eye, semi-vining, Southern heirloom, richer than blackeye.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Small white to pale lavender papilionaceous flowers from midsummer. Self-pollinating. Continuous in heat.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lavender; small papilionaceous; midsummer

Foliage Description

Medium green; trifoliate; on semi-vining sprawling stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 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 Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

65-75 days (green shell); 80-90 days (dry)

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow after all frost danger when soil is warm 65-70°F (18-21°C). Full sun, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Heat-loving—thrives 85-95°F. Nitrogen-fixing. Drought-tolerant. Semi-vining—benefits from short trellis or fence 3-4 feet, or grown with corn for support. Days to maturity 65-75 for green shell, 80-90 for dry. Harvest green when pods are plump and silver-green, or dry on vine.