Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus

The stalks, blanched and peeled, are eaten like a vegetable, as are the fleshy flower buds before flowering. The roots can be eaten like parsnips. Giant and impressive looking plant with beautiful flowers! Perennial, Zones 7 to 10. However, ours, in Zone 5b, has been perennial. We give it a very thick woodchip mulch once the plant has become big in its first year.

At least 25 seeds per packet.