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Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

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Overview

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a striking perennial thistle that adds structure and texture with its towering stature, reaching 3-6 feet high and 2-4 feet wide. Its silvery-green, deeply lobed leaves and bold, purple-flowered thistle heads create a dramatic spectacle in late summer to fall. Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once established. Use as a focal point or architectural backdrop in Mediterranean or water-wise gardens.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 8–10Type Perennial, Vegetable

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9; scientifically referred to as Cynara cardunculus

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 8–10

Shape & size

Mature height: 5–6 Ft.
Mature width: 2–3 Ft.

Classification

Type: Perennial, Vegetable
Family: Asteraceae

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Photos (113)

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Use as a focal point or architectural backdrop in Mediterranean or water-wise gardens; extending an impressive 20 to, image 49

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon stands out with its striking; for optimal growth, the Cardoon prefers full sun exposure and thrives in, image 75

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — This architectural specimen reaches a stately height of 3 to 6 feet and spans 2 to 4 feet wide; often confused with its cousin

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — purple-flowered thistle heads create a dramatic spectacle in late summer to fall; this plant can tolerate short, image 69

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9; scientifically referred to as Cynara cardunculus, image 83

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Use as a focal point or architectural backdrop in Mediterranean or water-wise gardens

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon produces captivating; admirers should be cautious as the stems are armed with small spines

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — perennial / vegetable for full

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — deeply lobed leaves and bold; this architectural specimen reaches a stately height of 3 to 6 feet and spans 2 to 4, image 46

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — perennial / vegetable with purple blooms; the Cardoon produces captivating, image 65

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — For optimal growth, the Cardoon prefers full sun exposure and thrives in well-drained soils; perennial / vegetable, image 82

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon produces captivating

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Use as a focal point or architectural backdrop in Mediterranean or water-wise gardens; extending an impressive 20 to 24 inches

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — This architectural specimen reaches a stately height of 3 to 6 feet and spans 2 to 4 feet wide; often confused with, image 55

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Regular maintenance includes cutting back spent flower heads to encourage a tidy appearance; purple flowers in the, image 85

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — this plant can tolerate short periods of cold down to 15°F (-9.4°C)

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — purple flowers in the garden; use as a focal point or architectural backdrop in Mediterranean or water-wise gardens

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — is an imposing perennial plant hailed for its culinary and ornamental value; deeply lobed leaves and bold, image 73

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — thistle-like purple flowers atop stems that may soar as high as 6 to 8 feet; perennial / vegetable for full, image 57

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once established

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — this plant can tolerate short periods of cold down to 15°F (-9.4°C); thistle-like purple flowers atop stems, image 62

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Regular maintenance includes cutting back spent flower heads to encourage a tidy appearance; purple flowers in the garden

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon produces captivating; admirers should be cautious as the stems are armed with small spines, image 56

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — deeply lobed leaves and bold; this architectural specimen reaches a stately height of 3 to 6 feet and spans 2 to 4 feet wide

Photographs by 14 contributors

Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 · source
Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Fischer.H, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
El Harym Y, CC BY 4.0 · source
Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Nouha Latiri, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Stan Dalone & Miran Rijavec, CC BY 2.0 · source
Wouter Hagens, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
peganum from Small Dole, England, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

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