Artichoke "Gros Vert de Laon" (Cynara scolymus) is a perennial vegetable. This plant grows 60 - 200 cm tall. Artichokes develop only a rosette of large, palmate, spiky leaves in the first year of cultivation. In the next and following years plants sprout flowering stalks, atop of which blue or violet blooms gathered in flower heads develop from July to August. Fully grown plant resembles thistle and may act as an ornamental plant. Thick, fleshy base of the undeveloped inflorescences and thick involucral bracts form the edible parts of artichoke plants, called "hearts". They may consumed cooked or preserved. Sometimes "blanched" petioles are also eaten.

Gustatory value of the artichoke significantly outstrips its nutritional properties. Artichoke contains small amounts of kalium, phosphorus, calcium and iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C. Cynarine, the main compound found in artichokes, is used in production of cholagogue and anti-atherosclerotic medicine.

Artichokes are grown from seedlings or from seeds sown to the field. In order to prepare seedlings, sow seeds in February - March, 2-3 per pot filled with compost and placed in a room with a temperature of 20°C. Transplant seedlings to the permanent site in the second half of May. In case of the direct sow on the field, sow 2-3 seeds per hole 5-6 cm deep in 100 x 100 cm spacings. As soon as the plants develop 5 true leaves, you need to prick them, leaving one plant per site. First artichoke hearts may be harvested in the second year of culture, from July to the first frosts, when the buds are developed (at least 6 cm in diameter), but still compact and closed. Cut the buds with a 10 cm long stem ending and eat them directly.

Package contains 0.5 g of "Gros Vert de Laon" artichoke seeds, as well as the sow-by date and growing instructions.

• Weight: 0.5 g
• Height: 60 - 200 cm
• Use: direct consumption - cooked; preserves; ornamental
• Flowering period: July - August
• Harvest time: July - October
• Flower colour: blue, violet
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: large, palmate, spiky leaves
• Flower type: flower heads