French Artichoke Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group)
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cynara scolymus
- Phonetic Spelling
- SIN-ah-rah kar-DUNK-yoo-lus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Globe Artichoke plants bear much similarity to thistle, the leaves resembling a giant silver-green fern with flower stalks up to 5 ft tall. While the unopened flower heads are traditionally harvested as a vegetable for the edible hearts within, these plants can be left to bloom revealing large, stunning, electric lavender flowers.
Artichokes do best in moist, rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Space plants roughly 5 ft apart. They may go dormant in hot summers and will die back in winter. While they can live for many years and bloom year-round in frost-free climates, they can be grown as an annual for harvest in fall. Mulch heavily to aid in winter survivability.
Descended from the Cardoon, grown for its edible leaf stalks, artichokes bear much similarity. Artichokes have been bred for for taller growth, less spines, and larger, edible flowers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: May cause contact dermatitis.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cynara
- Species:
- cardunculus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Africa and Western Europe
- Distribution:
- Widely cultivated in Mediterranean regions and other temperate areas
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to pollinators.
- Edibility:
- The unopened buds can be eaten– once cooked, the base of the fleshy phyllaries (bracts) and the center heart are edible. The flowers can be made into tea.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large, scaly flowers up to 7" grow on tall stalks, many smaller buds below a large terminal one. Buds can be harvested and eaten or allowed to bloom into bright purple, thistle-like flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deeply lobed, jagged leaves that grow in 3' clumps.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
