Artichoke Seeds collection hero

Artichoke

Grow tender artichoke hearts and dramatic silver leaves; let a few showy purple buds flower for the bees.

3 products
Colorado Red Star Artichoke on a white background.
Artichoke Seeds Colorado Red Star
$4.00
4
Cut and whole Green Globe Artichokes on a white background.
Artichoke Seeds Green Globe
$3.00
3.8
Cardoon Seeds, Gobbo Di Nizza
Cardoon Seeds Gobbo Di Nizza
$3.00
4

About Artichoke Seeds

(Cynara cardunculus) Long-season plant originated in the Mediterranean region and won’t overwinter reliably north of Zone 7. Both kinds grow well in very rich soil and full sun. They need excellent drainage but ample moisture, and they may benefit from some mid-afternoon shade in hot areas. Great cut flower!

Edible and Architectural

First-Year Chokes

Artichokes were historically a two-year crop, and north of Zone 7 they rarely overwinter at all. Colorado Red Star changed the math: breeder Keith Mayberry crossed his Imperial Star with purple varieties from Peru, and it sets heads the first season on about ten days of cool weather. Here's How to Grow Artichoke and Cardoon from seed.

Edible Ornamental

Even if you never cut a bud, the plant earns its space. Colorado Red Star runs two to three feet, with bracts shading from purplish-green to paintbrush strokes of plum—which is why it turns up in the Goth Garden collection. Let a head go unharvested and it opens into a thistle flower.

Don't Skip Cardoon

Cardoon is the artichoke's close relative, grown for its stalks rather than its buds. Gobbo di Nizzia has been eaten in Italy since Roman times—fried, sautéed, pickled, in soup, or raw with olive oil. The root cooks like parsnip. And unlike artichoke, it needs no cold treatment to crop.