Check out the blooms on these plants! If planted in a well-drained site, with protection for the roots from frost over the winter, runner beans can be grown as a perennial. Runner beans are botanically different than regular pole beans. They prefer cool summer weather and will drop their blossoms if it gets too hot! They also need more moisture and cool roots all summer. Unlike snap beans, runner beans require pollination by bees to set seed. Fat, slightly fuzzy pods have a richer, beanier flavour than snap green beans.  Follow along with this handy How to Grow Runner Beans Guide and you will grow food.