Cardoon is a magnificent perennial native to southern Europe, with spiny, gray-green foliage and purple, thistle-like flowers to five feet. The French first grew it as a vegetable and Quakers brought it to America in the 1790's. Although related to Globe Artichokes - which Jefferson grew throughout his life - the edible part of Cardoon is its thick leaf stalk, which can be blanched with mounded soil.

Sow in early spring and plant out after last frost in full sun and deep, rich garden loam. Can be grown as an annual.

Approximately 10-12 seeds per pack.

Line Drawing from The Vegetable Garden by M. M. Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885) zone1, zone2, zone3, zone4, zone5, zone6, zone7, zone8, zone9, zone0