Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Gros Vert de Lâon'

RHS Plant Profile

globe artichoke 'Gros Vert de Lâon'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An architectural perennial with grey-green leaves, grown for its edible, fleshy green flower bud scales that are produced on stems up to 1.8m tall. A hardy French cultivar with large green buds and excellent flavour. The buds open to thistle-like purple flowers in summer and autumn. Suitable for ornamental flower garden

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: Moist but well–drained or 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): 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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds. In very 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
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

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

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free