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Cynara (Artichoke)

Artichoke and Cardoon are most ornamental perennials with attractively large, silvery-grey, deeply dissected foliage in a dense basal rosette and an impressively tall inflorescence with large, thistle-like, bright purple flower globes. The flower heads of the cultivated Globe Artichoke are widely used as a vegetable in the Mediterranean cookery, whereas several wild species are used to extract medicinal active substances. For any rich, very well drained, preferably stony soil in a protected spot in full sun. In colder climates protect the dormant rootstock against freezing through and permanent wetness with a dry mulch layer in winter.
Sow flat from spring to mid summer in any well drained, sandy soil. Keep pots in full sun and soil only slightly moist. Carefully transplant the fleshy rootstock in autumn.
All are USDA Climate Zone 7.
10 seeds per package, unless not stated differently.
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Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon Artichoke)

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon Artichoke)

140 (170)cm, Cardoon Artichoke is the wild ancestor of the widely cultivated Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus). It is an ornamental stout perennial from the south-eastern Mediterranean region used in several medical products. It makes an impressive stem crowned by a thistle-like, broad, lavender-purple, spiny flower head above large, deeply cut grayish green leaves in a dense basal rosette. Still closed flower heads can be used as a vegetable like those from the Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus). For any rich, very well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a protected spot in full sun. In colder climates an insulating dry mulch layer as protection is recommended in winter. VIII-IX.
10 seeds per package.

U.S. customers only: seeds cannot be shipped to the U.S.

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seed package 3875 € 2,99
Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus (Globe Artichoke)

Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus (Globe Artichoke)

150 (200)cm, Globe Artichoke is an ancient almost spineless and more robust cultivar from the wild Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon Artichoke). The name is derived from Arabic "Ardi Choke" meaning "earth spine" and has been cultivated in the Arabic world (and later on by the Greek and Romans) for about two thousand years. The still closed flower head is cooked and used as a vegetable (except for the unedible straw-like florets inside). It makes a most ornamental perennial with large, thistle-like, silvery-grey foliage and tall stems with a terminal, broad, bright purple flower head. For any rich, very well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a protected spot in full sun. In colder climates an insulating dry mulch layer as protection is recommended in winter. VII-VIII.
20 seeds per package.

U.S. customers only: seeds cannot be shipped to the U.S.

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seed package3874 € 0,99
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Cynara cornigera (White Artichoke) Exclusive

Cynara cornigera (White Artichoke) Exclusive

30 (50)cm, White Artichoke is a winter green and summer dormant perennial with showy white to cream flower heads on short stalks above a densely spiny leaf rosette. Native of rocky, sunny spot in the eastern Mediterranean. Still closed flower heads can be used as a vegetable like those from the Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus). Preferably grow frostfree throughout the year with reduced watering in winter at a minimum of some 5°C. Seeds from a population above Govenor's Beach, south-western Cyprus, at some 150m. V-VI.
10 seeds per package.

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seed package 6324 € 4,99*
seed package
* This price is valid if a single item is ordered only. The shop will automatically assign discounts on bulk purchases. If several packages are ordered from this species, they will be merged into a single package. Please refer to our General Terms of Business.
Cynara humilis (Alcachofilla)

Cynara humilis (Alcachofilla)

50 (80)cm, Alcachofilla is a wild artichoke from south-western Spain, Morocco and Algeria. It makes a basal rosette of spiny and deeply dissected greyish-green leaves and several single branches topped with a rich purple flower heads. Still closed flower heads can be used as a vegetable like those from the Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus). For any rich, very well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a protected spot in full sun. In colder climates an insulating dry mulch layer as protection is recommended in winter. VII-VIII.
10 seeds per package.

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More Details »
price (plus Shipping Costs)
seed package9344 € 3,99*
* This price is valid if a single item is ordered only. The shop will automatically assign discounts on bulk purchases. If several packages are ordered from this species, they will be merged into a single package. Please refer to our General Terms of Business.