Cynara cardunculus

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Other common names

prickly artichoke, globe artichoke

Synonyms

Cynara cardunculus Cardoon

Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A robust herbaceous perennial to 2.5m forming a clump of silvery-grey, pinnatifid, spiny leaves up to 1m in length. Large thistle-like purple flowers in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cynara are robust thistle-like plants with grey-hairy, pinnately lobed leaves and globose purple flower-heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds. In very cold winters, apply a dry mulch

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame or propagate by division in spring or take root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Architectural
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down flower stems as they emerge in summer if you want to grow it as a foliage plant

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and blackfly

Diseases

Generally disease-free