Globe Artichoke or Cynara cardunculus is a perennial thistle with an edible flower head. If you need help growing Globe Artichokes remember the plants grow 6-10 feet tall with arching, deeply cut, silvery green leaves.
Do not confuse Globe with Jerusalem Artichokes the later are root vegetables related to Sunflowers not Thistles.

Globe Artichoke Growing and Cultivation Tips

• The globe artichoke requires a rich sandy well manured soil. It prefers a warm sunny site.
• Seeds should be started off inside and transferred outside once the soil is warm. Alternatively sow seeds outdoors in free draining soil in mid spring when the soil has warmed up.
• The globe should be planted in rows three feet apart with two feet between each plant.
• After harvesting the main head, secondary heads will appear and these too can be used.
• In cold areas, cover the plant with a mulch of straw, compost or bracken to protect it through the winter.
• It crops in the second year after sowing.

‘Green Globe Artichoke, Concerto F! hybrid and other seeds are available from Thompson & Morgan
Globe Artichokes grown from seed can take a long time to mature and it is easier to buy ready-rooted suckers to plant in the spring.

Globe Artichokes are architectural plants growing 5 feet tall and make big clumps of arching, jagged silvery leaves that are at home in the border or veg patch.

Cynara scolymus blown open

BBC Tips on Growing Globe Artichokes include
‘In the first year, plants need to put all their energy into making growth.
Remove any flowerheads as they form.
In the second year, allow the edible heads to develop for harvesting in summer.
Pick the bud at the top first, when it’s large and swollen, but before the scales have started to open. ‘

Globe Artichokes, are related to Cardoons. The thistle like plants, 2-5 feet tall, are grown for their edible flower buds. Normally raised from rooted suckers taken in spring or sown in April and transplant the following spring at least a foot apart. The delicious traditional green heads can be eaten cooked or raw.
The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 3-6 inches diameter with numerous triangular scales. The individual florets are green-purple. The edible portion of the flower buds consists primarily of the fleshy lower portions of the bracts and the base, known as the “heart”. The immature flowers in the center of the bud is called the “choke”.

Though technically perennials which normally produce the edible flower only during the second and subsequent years, certain varieties of artichoke can be grown from seed as annuals. Some varieties produce a limited harvest at the end of the first growing season even in regions where the plants are not normally winter hardy. This means that home gardeners can attempt to produce a crop without the need to overwinter plants. The recently introduced seed cultivars ‘Imperial Star’, ‘Northern Star’ and ‘Green Globe’ or ‘Purple Globe’ are organic varieties.

The plants have enough character to be grown in an ornamental garden if space is limited.