Colorado Red Star Artichoke on a white background.
A close-up view of a Colorado Red Star Artichoke in the gardens at Baker Creek.
A vibrant purple bloom from a Colorado Red Star Artichoke resting on stone.
Colorado Red Star Artichokes in small vintage metal vases on grey.
A Sphinx Moth resting on a Colorado Red Star Artichoke in the gardens at Baker Creek.
An arrangement of several Colorado Red Star Artichokes at various stages of maturity.
A gardener in a tunic holding a stem with three Colorado Red Star Artichokes.
Colorado Red Star Artichoke on a white background.
A close-up view of a Colorado Red Star Artichoke in the gardens at Baker Creek.
A vibrant purple bloom from a Colorado Red Star Artichoke resting on stone.
Colorado Red Star Artichokes in small vintage metal vases on grey.
A Sphinx Moth resting on a Colorado Red Star Artichoke in the gardens at Baker Creek.
An arrangement of several Colorado Red Star Artichokes at various stages of maturity.
A gardener in a tunic holding a stem with three Colorado Red Star Artichokes.

Artichoke Seeds,
Colorado Red Star

49 ReviewsSKU: #AR102Min. seed count: 25
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Description

An easier-to-grow artichoke, Colorado Red Star can be grown as an annual from seed in a wide range of climates. The bracts range from purplish-green to paintbrush strokes of plum, with a perfect globe shape. While artichoke has historically been a perennial vegetable requiring two years or a period of vernalization, breeder Keith Mayberry developed the Imperial Star, a variety that will develop heads early in the first year,  with just 10 days of cool weather required! Colorado Red Star was the result of Keith crossing his green bract, Imperial Star, with purple varieties from Peru. The result: a 2- to 3-foot tall edible ornamental that produces stunning purple globes easily in the first season. Ideal for cold winter locations where overwintering perennial artichokes is difficult, and it is also perfect for hot southern climates where getting the requisite cold treatment for perennial types is not possible. Due to a lower germination rate of 49%, we’re including extra seeds in each packet to ensure a full planting.

Growing Tips: Sow indoors 2 to 3 months before average last frost. Transplant to rich, deep, well-drained soil. Seedlings require chill period (nights below 45°F, but above freezing) to produce 'chokes.  More Artichoke and Cardoon Growing Tips >>

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cynara scolymus
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
10–21
Days to Maturity
85–95
Planting Depth
¼–½ in.
Plant Spacing
18 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–80°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Sow indoors 2 to 3 months before your average last frost date, then transplant into rich, deep, well-drained soil. Seedlings require a chill period, with nights below 45°F but above freezing, in order to produce 'chokes. Spring is the planting window, and heads follow in roughly 85 to 95 days. Colorado Red Star produces stunning purple globes easily in the first season.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Artichokes typically take two years to produce a crop, but they can be coaxed into flowering the first year.
  • To get a crop of artichokes in one year, start seeds indoors in pots 2 to 3 months before the last frost date in spring. Move the pots outdoors when four leaves have developed.
  • Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
  • When temperatures are occasionally freezing, protect plants if temperatures fall below 29 degrees.
  • Two to four weeks of exposure to cool temps “vernalizes” the young seedlings, preparing them to bloom later in the season after plants have grown large.
  • Cardoons may also be started early indoors, but vernalizing isn’t necessary.
  • Seeds germinate in 10-21 days.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 60-80 F.

How to Grow

  • Both artichokes and cardoons prefer 6-12 hours of full sun.
  • In very hot summer areas, they may benefit from some mid-afternoon shade.
  • Provide rich, deep, well-drained soil and ample moisture.
  • Seedlings require a chill period (nights below 45 F but above freezing) to produce artichokes.
  • Mature plants produce many buds over a long season. Simply cut off each bud, with an inch of stem, when it has reached its full size but before the “scales” begin to separate, which signals that the bud is about to bloom.
  • After harvest you can cut the plant down to the ground and mulch it. Mulching can allow artichokes to act as a perennial in zones 5 or 6, where there are usually not sustained periods of deep freezes.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Artichokes require frequent irrigation in order to produce large, tender heads. At the same time, make sure that the soil drains well, as the plants do not like waterlogged soil and will have a tendency to rot in these conditions.
  • Mulching can help retain moisture and reduce the rate at which you need to water.
  • Common pests with artichokes include armyworms and aphids.

How to Save Seeds

Saving sunflower seeds is very easy!

  • Artichokes and cardoons produce big thistle flowers that, once open, display a bright purple flower.
  • In order to collect seed, let the flower dry on the stalk.
  • If you have harsh winters, harvest it partially dry and continue drying the flower inside.
  • Once dry, remove the once-purple stamens. Below the stamens you will find dandelion-like seed heads with a seed at the bottom.
  • In order to select the largest seeds, you may need to dig down further into the center of the flower. Using scissors or tweezers can help extract the seeds.
  • Once the seeds are extracted from the dry flower head, finish air drying them and then store them in a cool, dry place for the winter.

FAQ

Can Colorado Red Star really be grown as an annual?

Yes. Colorado Red Star can be grown as an annual from seed in a wide range of climates, while artichoke has historically been a perennial vegetable requiring two years or a period of vernalization. That makes it a good fit for cold winter locations where overwintering perennial artichokes is difficult, and for hot southern climates where giving perennial types their requisite cold treatment is not possible.

Why are there extra seeds in the packet?

This variety has a lower germination rate of 49%, so we include extra seeds in each packet to ensure a full planting. Sow 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and allow 10 to 21 days for germination.

How big do the plants get, and what do the heads look like?

Expect a 2- to 3-foot tall edible ornamental, spaced 18 inches apart in full sun. The globes are perfectly shaped, with bracts ranging from purplish-green to paintbrush strokes of plum.
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