Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Cynara cardunculus
Globe Artichoke
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 3 to 5 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Purple thistle-like blooms
- Foliage color
- Gray-green, deeply lobed leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid-summer to late summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; prefers well-drained soil, drought-tolerant once established
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back in fall after flowering
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
About this plant
Cynara cardunculus, commonly known as globe artichoke, is a striking ornamental and edible perennial known for its bold, gray-green foliage and impressive thistle-like flowers. Blooming in mid to late summer, it produces tall, spiky flower heads with vibrant purple, tubular florets that resemble large artichokes. These dramatic flowers rise above the deeply lobed, arching leaves, creating a stunning architectural presence in the garden.
Native to the Mediterranean region, Cynara cardunculus has long been valued both for its ornamental appeal and its use in cooking, with its young stems and leaf stalks traditionally harvested for culinary purposes. The plant's dramatic size and unique texture make it a popular choice in both ornamental and edible garden landscapes, adding a bold Mediterranean flair.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox · Black-eyed Susans · Daylilies
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
