Cardoon, also known as the artichoke thistle, is a unique plant with a beautiful noble appearance. This ornamental, medicinal and vegetable plant is still rather unknown. It does not grow everywhere as it has special cultivation requirements. We still encourage you to learn more about it. Even though it is a perennial, it is most commonly grown as an annual. A mature plant grows from 60 to 180 cm.

The large, decoratively bent leaves and huge flower heads constitute a unique site. Each cardoon inflorescence consists of myriads of disc flowers that protrude from the tightly packed scales. The pinnatisect, light green leaves are pubescent at the bottom side. They are truly huge - up to 50 cm long and 35 cm wide. The erect stems that end with flowers constitute a unique garden ornament. We recommend to grow them in a less frequented places due to their sharp thorns. The dark pink flowers look very attractive and can be cut and put into vases. Their sturdiness allows to use them in dry arrangements, too. This plant presents high ornamental value on perennial borders, but looks great at the wall and fence background and planted alone, too.

Sunny sites that are sheltered from wind prove to be optimal for cardoon cultivation. This plant prefers warmth and fertile loamy soils that are rich in nutrients. Sow the seeds early in spring into large boxes or pots in a heated room. Sow 2-3 seeds per pocket or pot. Leave only the strongest seedling after the emergence. Soak the seeds in water before planting. Seedlings at the 2 to 3 true leaf stage should be planted on the target site 1 metre apart in the second half of May. The time needed to grow seedlings that are ready to be planted is estimated at 10 weeks.

Should you wish to use card as a vegetable, you need to whiten the leaf stalks by protecting them from sunlight. This treatment usually takes 3 weeks. Start it in September by binding the leaf rosette together and covering it with paper or hay. This treatment is performed in order to free the leaf stalks from bitterness.

The cardoon is considered an elegant, noble vegetable that is highly regarded by gourmands. Its leaf stalks are served braised, roasted, seldomly raw. Cardoon is also considered a medicinal plant. It has anticancer and antioxidant properties, helps to regulate blood tension and lower the cholesterol level in blood.

One package contains 1 gram of seeds. You will find the basic plant facts, the growing instructions and the sow-by date at the back of the package.

• Height: 60 - 180 cm
• Use: ornamental - garden, cut flower, dry arrangements; medicinal; vegetable
• Growth form: erect
• Flower colour: dark pink
• Vegetation form: perennial, usually grown as an annual
• Foliage: large, pinnatisect, light green leaves
• Site: sunny, wind-sheltered; fertile, loamy soil rich in nutrients
• Weight (in grams): 1 g