Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon, Artichoke Thistle)
Michael's Opinion
A stunning short-lived perennial or biennial that should be grown for its stunning silver foliage.
Botanical Information
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Cynara |
| Species | cardunculus |
| Category | Annuals, Perennials |
| Origin | Western and central Mediterranean region. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 7b - 8a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 (Observed growing well in H7 in a protected location) |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15 to -10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 14 |
| Height | 80-150 cm |
| Spread | 1 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | August, September |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A striking plant both for bloom and foliage, biennial in nature and monocarpic. |
| Notable Specimens | National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
| Leaf Description | Deeply lobed and heavily spined green to grey-green tomentose leaves up to 50 cm long, with yellow spines up to 3.5 cm long. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are violet-purple, produced in a large, globose, massively spined capitulum up to 6 cm diameter. |
Photographs
Cynara cardunculus, form. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Awards
