Cardoon Artichoke Seeds

SKU: AR104
This striking perennial heirloom is grown as an ornamental artichoke but its leaf stalks and stems are edible. Read More

Exposure Full-sun

Matures in 150-210 days

Season Cool season

Seed type OP ?

Cardoon Artichoke Seeds has a rating of 4.7 stars based on 6 reviews.
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Heirloom Attracts Pollinators
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Cardoon

Product Details

C. cardunculus. This striking perennial heirloom is grown as an ornamental artichoke but its leaf stalks and stems are edible. It grows at least 1.2m (4’) tall for a stunning Mediterranean look with large silvery-green, deeply-cut leaves and thistle-like flowers of rich, royal purple. Its flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Thick stems, steamed and seasoned, are an old-world treat. The unopened flower buds make unusual cut flowers.

Matures in 150-210 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Quick Facts:

    • Stunning Mediterranean look
    • Make unusual cut flowers
    • Heirloom seeds
    • Open pollinated
    • Matures in 150-210 days

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Cardoon Artichoke Seeds

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All About Cardoon Artichoke Seeds

Latin

Latin
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Family: Asteraceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Moderately challenging.

We Recommend

We Recommend: Imperial Star (AR103). Harvesting artichokes in the first year of growth is a real benefit for growers. Imperial Star grows beautifully in an open field situation.

Season

Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 6 (hardy in Zone 5 if you use mulch and cloche cover)

Timing

Timing
Start indoors in late winter, four to six weeks before the last frost date. Keep seedlings under bright lights.

Starting

Starting
Sow two seeds per pot, 5mm (¼”) deep. Keep moist in a warm place until seeds germinate in 10 to 21 days. Transplant seedlings into the garden 2 weeks after the last average frost date for your area. Artichokes need a cool period (250 hours — approximately 10 to 11 days) below 10°C (50°F) to induce flowering in the first year, but will not survive hard frost. Space plants 1m (3′) apart. Seeds can also be germinated between damp sheets of paper towel.

Days to Maturity

Days to Maturity
From transplant.

Growing

Growing
Ideal pH: 5.6-6.6. Select a sunny, sheltered location with well-draining soil. Dig in lots of compost or rotted manure and add 1/2 to 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer per plant. On the coast, with protective mulch, these plants may overwinter. Approximately two weeks before the last frost date (or if hard frost is forecast) cut the plants back to 15cm (6″) tall, and mulch well with straw, soil, leaves, or burlap, to keep the roots from freezing. Uncover after the last frost date.

Seed Info

Seed Info
In optimum conditions at least 70% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 1 year.

How to Grow Artichoke

Step 1

Timing

Start indoors in late winter, four to six weeks before the last frost date. Keep seedlings under bright lights.

Step 2

Starting

Sow two seeds per pot, 5mm (¼”) deep. Keep moist in a warm place until seeds germinate in 10 to 21 days. Transplant seedlings into the garden 2 weeks after the last average frost date for your area. Artichokes need a cool period (250 hours — approximately 10 to 11 days) below 10°C (50°F) to induce flowering in the first year, but will not survive hard frost. Space plants 1m (3′) apart. Seeds can also be germinated between damp sheets of paper towel.

Step 3

Growing

Ideal pH: 5.6-6.6.

Select a sunny, sheltered location with well-draining soil. Dig in lots of compost or rotted manure and add 1/2 to 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer per plant. On the coast, with protective mulch, these plants may overwinter. Approximately two weeks before the last frost date (or if hard frost is forecast) cut the plants back to 15cm (6″) tall, and mulch well with straw, soil, leaves, or burlap, to keep the roots from freezing. Uncover after the last frost date.

Step 4

Germination

Days to maturity: From transplant.

In optimum conditions at least 70% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 1 year.

Step 5

Harvest

Cut individual flowers before they start to open in late summer.

Customer Reviews & Questions