Vegetables
Artichoke 'Violet de Provence'
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
This sizeable perennial vegetable has a finer flavour than the standard green artichoke with its delicious purple flower buds. Harvested before they open, they have a soft, buttery quality. The plant is also garden-worthy in itself as it grows huge, architectural grey leaves that are finely cut. If left, flowers are a magnet for bees.
- Position
- Full Sun
- Height
- 1.3m
- Spread
- 60cm
Growing calendar
Sowing & growing
From March-July, sow under glass, 20mm deep in moist seed compost. Keep at 18°C. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into pots and grow on. Plant out the following spring, with 90cm of spacing, into well-prepared soil, fertilised with well-rotted manure. Keep feeding with general purpose fertiliser and keep well-watered and weed free.
Aftercare
Harvest regularly to keep plant flowering, as well as to prevent self-seeding. At the end of the summer, cut back, and mulch surrounding ground with straw in cold winters.
Gallery
Ref. SEA032