Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Vert Globe'

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globe artichoke 'Vert Globe'

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Synonyms

Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) [Green Globe]

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Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary
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A large, architectural perennial with grey-green leaves, grown for its edible, fleshy, green flower bud scales that are produced on stems up to 1.7m tall. The buds open to thistle-like purple flowers in summer and autumn. Suitable for ornamental flower garden

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

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

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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)
H4

RHS Recommended: for People & Planet

RHS Recommended Plants for People & Planet

For Water Resilience

Plants for Flood Resilience

Plants that can help manage heavy rain by catching rainfall, slowing surface run-off, encouraging water into the soil or taking it up through their roots, contributing to flood resilient gardens.

Plants for both Wet and Dry Conditions

Plants that cope with changing soil moisture, including wet winters and extended summer dry. Once established, they grow as wet and dry conditions alternate.

For Temperature Resilience

Plants for Temperature Cooling

Plants that cool air temperature by providing shade, transpiration, or reflection to reduce heat impact on people, animals, soil or other ground surface.

Plants for Wind Shelter

Plants with dense canopies often grown as a tall thick hedge or grouping can block wind and shelter gardens, buildings and people.

For Carbon Storage

Plants for Carbon Storage

Plants that can take up carbon (CO₂) through photosynthesis and store it within the plant or deposit it by their roots into the soil.

For Biodiversity

Plants for Pollinators

Plants that have flowering properties (pollen and/or nectar) that are particularly beneficial for pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Growing conditions for maximum benefit

This plant will provide the maximum benefits if it is healthy and allowed to grow to maturity

For Bio-Diversity

  • Plants for Pollinators

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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds. In cold winters or more northern areas consider winter protection, apply a dry mulch such as bark or straw. See How to grow: globe artichokes for more details

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut down flowered stems and old foliage in autumn when cropping is over

Pests

May be susceptible snails, slugs and blackfly (black aphid)

Diseases

Generally disease-free