Cardoon

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C. cardunculus. This striking perennial can be grown as an ornamental artichoke or for its silvery-green, deeply serrated, edible leaf stalks and stems. It grows at least 1.2m (4) tall for a stunning Mediterranean look. Its thistle-like flowers of rich, royal purple are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators Tie the thick stalks to blanch for 3 months before harvest and then steam and season for an old-world treat. The unopened flower buds make unusual cut flowers.

Matures in 100 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

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• Stunning Mediterranean look
• Make unusual cut flowers
• Open pollinated
• Matures in 100 days

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