Biggest Cardoon / Cynara Variety?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Kristen, Nov 9, 2012.

  1. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I grew Cynara cardunculus "Porto Spineless" (from Chiltern Seeds) this year - as an ornamental for the Exotic border, for its dramatic leaves.

    "Porto Spineless" is a variety used by florists, and I wondered if there was a more dramatic / bigger / whatever! variety that anyone knows of?

    I came across some seed called "Gigante" - a name with promise?!
    http://b-and-t-world-seeds.com/carth.as ... ref=551464
    and I found one grown by a user of MyFolia - their picture makes it look big and the leaves are somewhat finely cut, so might look more dramatic than the bog standard ones?

    [​IMG]
     
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    • al n

      al n Total Gardener

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      I grew one of those too kristen, and, iirc, the thistle like flowers are edible. Mine grew to around 7ft.
       
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      Yes, flowers (before they open) edible as Globe Artichokes, and you can blanch the stems too and eat those ... in fact we have quite a few plants in the veg patch :) ... but for the Exotic border I just want BIG !!
       
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      • sal73

        sal73 Total Gardener

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        I love artichokes , not for everyone taste but they are delicious , you can make a digestive liqueur out of it .

        [​IMG]

        the plants it`s impressive as well ; )
         
      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        OK,sounds like I'll have to stick with the ones I've got. In fairness they have grown impressively for only a single season (from seed) :)
         
      • simbad

        simbad Total Gardener

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        I've had cardoons grow to 7ft here too.
        Have you thought about onopordum arabicum?, not good if you want spineless though, I've done myself a mischief wrestling with a 8ft one in my garden when it got flattened by the wind, lovely grey foliage but it is biennial,dead easy from seed, if you want to give them a try I'll have seed very soon :)
         
      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        Never really warmed to them - but having said that I haven't grown them, maybe I should give them a try?
         
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        • simbad

          simbad Total Gardener

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          I'll let you know when I collect the seed Kristen, its nearly ready :)
           
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