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Silvery, spiky leaves, 28 Sept 2026
Arthur Fortune
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group)
Dramatic silvery, deeply cut leaves. It'll grow into a huge architectural plant, with edible flower buds from its second summer. Give it a thick mulch over winter, as young plants can be tender.
Part of the kitchen bed, planted out in spring 2026.
- Common name
- Globe artichoke
- Section
- Beds (also in Fruit, veg & herbs)
- Spot
- Garden (kitchen bed)
- Soil
- Garden soil (tbc)
- Options
Potential
An architectural plant for an edible garden or mixed border, with large foliage and flowers as well as a potential crop.
- From
- Grown on from online plugs, or bought from a local independent garden centre, spring 2026
- Age
- About 1 year
- Next repot
- Not needed: it's in the ground
- Edible
- ✅ Yes: The flower buds, from its second summer.
- Hardy
- ✅ Fully
- Garden-centre price
- about £8
Did you know?
The bit you eat is an unopened flower bud: artichokes are a type of thistle.
Care & updates
- What to expect
- Dormant now; bursts back into growth in spring, with harvests from early summer. Flowers Jul–Aug.
- Feeding
- Every 28 days, Apr–Jul, with Balanced feed, plus a compost mulch in spring
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