Ivory White Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

A perennial plant that forms a rosette of large, slightly spiny, green leaves with thick, fleshy leaf stalks in the first year. In the following year, a stem up to 2m high grows from it, branched in the upper part and ending in magnificent lavender-colored inflorescences. Cardoon has a dual use: the fleshy, thick leaf stalks are consumed after blanching, similar to celery - raw or cooked. Flowering cardoon is an impressive ornamental plant, and dried inflorescences can be used for permanent compositions. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Sow in March in pots with 2-3 seeds. Germination takes 3-4 weeks at a temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. After germination, leave one plant in the pot. Plant in the ground from mid-May with a spacing of 1x1m. Blanching begins in September, lasts about 3 weeks, and involves tying the leaf rosette and covering it with paper. Grow on fertile, well-drained soils in a sunny position.