Career
He was responsible for some of the present collections of trees and woody plants there. Bean began his career at Kew Gardens as a trainee gardener. He remained at Kew for over 45 years, reaching the position of curator in 1922.
Bean wrote a history of Kew Gardens, which was published in 1908.
He wrote the first two-volume edition of the reference work Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, which was published in 1914. A revised four-volume edition of this work remains a standard reference work for woody plants grown in Britain today.
Bean retired from Kew in 1929. In his retirement Bean wrote three other books: Shrubs for Amateurs in 1924, Ornamental Trees for Amateurs in 1925, and Wall Shrubs and Hardy Climbers in 1939.
He also revised and expanded Trees and Shrubs several times.
