Cynara cardunculus

The Cardoon is a striking, herbaceous perennial plant native to the Mediterranean Basin that is closely related to the Artichoke. Cardoon has a long history of cultivation and usage for its edible and medicinal properties. While the flower of the plant can be used much in the same way as an Artichoke, traditionally the young, tender stalks and leaf ribs are cooked and eaten. Various parts of the plant are also used in making aromatic and bitter liqueurs, aperitifs, and amaros.

Plants can reach six feet high and wide and form clumps of rosettes of large, deeply lobed and lacey, silvery-gray leaves. In its second year, the Cardoon plant will produce a long-lasting flower that can be harvested unripe like an artichoke or left to bloom in a magnificent display of iridescent purple that’s a hit with honeybees. Cardoon plants are well adapted to hot and dry climates, often found growing in rocky or well-draining soils in open exposures in the wild. In the garden, they thrive in a sunny position, are adaptable to a variety of soil types, and are incredibly drought tolerant.

Cold hard to USDA zone 7b, or to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

For sale are packets of 10 seeds