Family Asteraceae.
Originating from the Mediterranean.
- Intensely spiky, silver-grey foliage forms a dramatic architectural rosette.
- Tall stems carry large, purple thistle-like flowers in summer.
- Easy to grow, more compact and spiny than the cultivated cardoon.
The Spiky Cardoon Plant in Your Garden
A spiky silver Mediterranean plant with attitude! This mini artichoke is fiercely beautiful with complex, intricate leaves that have a fascinating arrangement of lobes and spines. Typical cardoon flowers, in an endearing miniature form, top its bright rosette of foliage.
Hardy in southern and coastal UK gardens, it grows to 1.5–2m tall and 1–1.5m wide in 2-5 years. Perfect for Suffolk’s gravel gardens, Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens thrives in sun-drenched, dry, coastal locations. In Norfolk’s Mediterranean planting schemes, it makes an architectural statement; additionally, its mini cardoon looks are adaptable to all styles.
In gardens where the Giant Cardoon, or Globe Artichoke, is too large, this subspecies is a perfect alternative. Its drought tolerance makes it a go-to for waterwise gardeners; furthermore, its pollinator-magnet flowers are essential for wildlife-friendly gardens.
Did you know?
The flowers of Cynara scolymus (or Cynara flavescens) are used in Spain to make a vegetal rennet for plant-based or dairy cheese.
Growing Tips for Your Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens
- Soil and sun: Very well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil. Full sun is essential. Choose a sheltered, sun-drenched spot.
- Planting: Best in late spring after the risk of frost has passed. Never plant a dry plant; plunge the rootball into water to drench it before planting.
- Watering: Water regularly until established. Highly drought-tolerant once rooted.
- Pruning: Cut back dead stems in late autumn or early spring. Wear gloves due to sharp spines.
Take artichoke growing to another level with this spiky cardoon plant, Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens. It is the wild ancestor of the cultivated cardoon, the globe artichoke, and its flowers are edible too. Usually consumed as buds, being too fiddly to eat when mature, as they are smaller. Grow your own enthusiasts can expand their range of Mediterranean edible crops with this mini artichoke subspecies.
