A stunning heirloom variety from northern Italy, Violetta produces deep purple artichokes that contrast beautifully with the foliage when they are in bud. Slightly smaller and later ripening than the Green Globe Artichoke but particularly tender and delicious. Violetta will make a bold statement in the perennial vegetable garden or even in the perennial flower border with its striking purple flowers that open in late summer if the artichokes are not harvested before.

Latin Name: Cynara scolymus
Site and Soil: Violetta Artichoke likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Artichokes are self-fertile.
Hardiness: Artichokes will die back after hard frost. With mulching, they can be grown where temperatures fall to minus 10 F.
Bearing Age: 1 year after planting.
Size at Maturity: 4-5 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: Late summer
Ripening Time: Fall
Yield: 6-8 Artichokes per plant
Pests & Diseases: Artichokes are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 6
Sunset Western Zone: 4-7,8,9, 11-13,14-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 34, 38, in other zones grow as annual

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A very fun and dramatic perennial from the Mediterranean, Cardoons are fun and easy to grow. They work equally as well in the perennial border as they do in the veggie garden and their big, bold silvery foliage and gorgeous purple flowers create quite the show. The edible part of the cardoon is the very large leaf stalk that can be cut up and boiled to make it tender. When cooked the right way cardoons are incredibly delicious and add a unique texture to a dish. Hardy to about 15F. but in climates that get cooler than that you can easily grow it as an annual.

Latin Name: Cynara cardunculus
Site and Soil: Cardoons like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Hardiness: Cardoons will die back after a very hard frost. With mulching, they can be grown where temperatures don’t fall below 15 F.
Size at Maturity: 4-5 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: Late summer
Ripening Time: Fall
Yield: 8-10 leaf stalks per plant
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 8
Sunset Western Zone: 4-7,8,9, 11-13,14-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 34, 38, in other zones grow as annual

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Imperial Star Artichoke was bred specifically for annual production in cold climates where artichokes won’t overwinter. Plants produce well-developed artichokes in the first year from seed. Artichokes are deep green and prolific. Perennial in Zone 7 and above.

Latin Name: Cynara scolymus
Site and Soil: Artichokes like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Artichokes are self-fertile.
Hardiness: Artichokes will die back after hard frost. With mulching, they can be grown where temperatures fall to minus 10 F.
Bearing Age: 1 year after planting.
Size at Maturity: 3 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: Late summer
Ripening Time: Fall
Yield: 8-15 Artichokes per plant typically
Pests & Diseases: Artichokes are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 7
Sunset Western Zone: 4-7,8,9, 11-13,14-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 34, 38, in other zones grow as annual

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Green Globe Artichoke is a newly improved artichoke.  The Green Globe flowers in early summer. The flower buds are deep green with a light purple tinge. A good harvest of 3-4 heads can be expected throughout the summer. They are 3-5 inches in diameter and have wonderfully thick, flavorful hearts. Proven to be the most hardy and remain productive for at least 5 years.

Latin Name: Cynara scolymus
Site and Soil: Artichokes like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Artichokes are self-fertile.
Hardiness: Artichokes will die back after hard frost. With mulching, they can be grown where temperatures fall to minus 10 F.
Bearing Age: 1 year after planting.
Size at Maturity: 4-5 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: Late summer
Ripening Time: Fall
Yield: 6-8 Artichokes per plant
Pests & Diseases: Artichokes are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 6
Sunset Western Zone: 4-7,8,9, 11-13,14-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 34, 38, in other zones grow as annual

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