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.