Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Purple Globe'

RHS Plant Profile
globe artichoke 'Purple Globe'

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Herbaceous Perennial

An architectural perennial, Up to 1.8m tall, with grey-green leaves. Grown for its edible, fleshy, flower buds covered with hard, purple scales. Flower buds open to purple, thistle-like flowers in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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 cold winters or more northern areas consider winter protection, apply a dry mulch such as bark or straw. See globe-artichokes cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

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

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free