Guide to growing garden plants - Cynara (Wild Artichoke)
Members of Cynara are half hardy perennials that are normally grown as half hardy annuals in the garden.
These prickly plants have thistle like flowers that may reach up to 2 metres in height.
Common names for members of Cynara include Wild Artichoke and Cardoon.
They make a great addition to a culinary garden, and the artichoke fruits should be harvested whilst still closed and green in colour.
Cynara cardunculus by .Annna.
Globe Artichoke by Anemoneprojectors.
Quick Cynara Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Cardoon, Artichoke, Globe Artichoke, Artichoke Thistle, Wild Artichoke, Cardi.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial usually grown as a hardy annual by gardeners. Hardy biennial.
Height: 55 to 80 inches (140 to 200 cm).
Native: Mediterranean, Northern Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 6 to 10. As a perennial in zones 8 to 10. Close to south facing wall in zone 5; may not bud.
Flowers: Summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Purple, green. Large head. Triangular scales. Thistle-like.
Foliage: Thistle-like. Deeply lobed. Silvery leaves. Stalks have tiny spines.
Sow Outside: Warm areas only. 1/8 inch (3mm). After last frost. Spacing: 40 to 70 inches (100 to 180 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: two to four weeks. Temperature 54°F (12°C). Sow in late winter or early spring. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Long cool growing season for best results. Full sunlight. Good drainage. Manured soil. Rich soil. Moist soil. Feed every three weeks. Regular watering. Winter mulch. Wear Gloves. Use slug repellent.
Miscellaneous: Harvest artichokes before they open.
How to grow Wild Artichokes (Cynara)
If you plan to grow wild artichokes outside then seeds should be planted at a depth of about 3mm in a rich, moist soil. The Artichokes should be sown after the last frost of spring into a sunny well drained area of the garden. It may be better to first start Cynara seedlings indoors. They should be sown on the last day of winter (give or take a day or two) in an area with a temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius. Wild artichoke seedlings should then be planted outdoors at a spacing of 5cm before the last frost of spring.
Caring for wild artichokes
The soil that wild artichokes grow in should be kept moist by regular watering.