Cynara cardunculus
Cardoon
Also known as Cynara cardunculus 'Cardoon'
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant forms a large clump of spiky foliage that is wildly architectural. It dominates just about everything in its vicinity, so several can become boring. The great leaves are much divided and coloured silvery grey and thistle-like, purple flowers appear during summer. It reaches a height of some 2m (6ft). The fruits are inedible but can be effectively dried.
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply a protective mulch
Protect the crown of the plant in winter in areas that are prone to frost and cold. For short term protection a fleece can be used, otherwise fill mesh sacks with masses of straw and secure them over the plant's crown.
The 'traditional method' is to put wire or other netting over the plant, layer plenty of straw on top of this and then secure the whole with more netting.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.