[JayG]

OK, all runner beans are technically self-fertile - I'm talking about the ones which claim to not need insects to pollinate them - Moonlight and Firestorm come to mind.

Has anyone grown them, and what did you think of them, particularly regarding flavour and stringiness?

I save seed from White Lady and have been growing them for years with no problems, and personally think they're hard to beat, but there is always a bit of an anxious wait for the bees to find them (or to possibly learn the trick of 'tripping' the flowers to pollinate them.)

[Blackpool rocket]

I have grown both.
I think that Firestorm are a better producer. I've never had them both "side by side" so a taste comparison isn't really possible.
I always use one of these even for the earliest beans, I just can't stand any stringy bits, I'd rather not take the chance.

From what I remember from last year (Moonlight) they were consistent throughout the season although mine were very late.
I've always had problems with pollenation so I doubt I'll be going back to the more traditional varieties.
I will always buy fresh seed because I want to be sure the seed is "true"

I think it's going to be Firestorm this year.

Br

[mumofstig]

I have grown Red Rum and both Moonlight and White Lady, over the last couple of years - and liked both of the white ones.
Here, the Moonlight started to crop early and finished early, whilst the White Lady did start a couple of weeks later but carried on as long as the weather allowed.
The Red Rum had a very rough textured pod like some of the old runner varieties, which I didn't like much, so haven't grown them again

Taste-wise, I think they all tasted like runner beans