I've grown these for a few years just because they're pretty, and save the seed for the next year. I have lots of these beans this year, but somewhere I heard/read that you shouldn't eat them, that they're toxic or something. Is that true? Or can I add them to the rest of my dry beans?

As far as toxicity, I believe you're thinking of "Hyacinth Beans" (aka "LabLab"), which can be toxic unless very very young. Even then, some people are very sensitive to them.

BUT - fresh Scarlet Runner Beans are COMPLETELY EDIBLE. And so delicious, in my opinion, that they're the only pole bean I grow. The flowers are edible, beany tasting, & delicious in salads as a garnish, & the beans are fabulous when picked young & cooked like one would a flat Italian Romano-type bean. I love them sliced into 1"-2" pieces, boiled lightly, & tossed with some butter &/or extra-virgin olive oil & some crushed dried Marjoram. Also, cooked as before & stirred into stewed tomatoes. Wonderful.

While I've never cooked them as fresh or dry shell beans, I understand they're good that way too, although the color of the beans leans towards gray after cooking, so they're not supposed to be terrribly attractive.

If you're sure that what you're growing are Scarlet Runner Beans & not Hyacinth Beans, I definitely encourage you to try them without any worries about toxicity.

We eat them when they are on the small side. The big ones go to the dogs. They line up for a treat, lol. The bigger beans tend to get that fuzzy, not so great feeling in your mouth. When younger, they are smooth and crisp.