Log in Start trial

Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

Design with this plant

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

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (113)

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon stands out with its striking

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — scientifically referred to as Cynara cardunculus; hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, image 72

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once established; purple-flowered thistle heads, image 48

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — perennial / vegetable for full; regular maintenance includes cutting back spent flower heads to encourage a tidy, image 88

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — reaching 3-6 feet high and 2-4 feet wide

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — extending an impressive 20 to 24 inches in length; reaching 3-6 feet high and 2-4 feet wide, image 54

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Admirers should be cautious as the stems are armed with small spines; offering an eye-catching display

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 77

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once established; purple-flowered thistle heads, image 70

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — reaching 3-6 feet high and 2-4 feet wide; preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once, image 89

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

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — extending an impressive 20 to 24 inches in length

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — offering an eye-catching display

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — perennial / vegetable for full; regular maintenance includes cutting back spent flower heads to encourage a tidy, image 66

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9

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 90

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — the Cardoon stands out with its striking; for optimal growth, the Cardoon prefers full sun exposure and thrives in, image 53

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it's drought-tolerant once established; purple-flowered thistle heads create a

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — perennial / vegetable with purple blooms

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

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9; scientifically referred to as Cynara cardunculus, image 61

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — Regular maintenance includes cutting back spent flower heads to encourage a tidy appearance; purple flowers in the, image 63

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

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — For optimal growth, the Cardoon prefers full sun exposure and thrives in well-drained soils

Photographs by 14 contributors

Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · source
Shuvaev, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
MESwadzba, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
muffinn from Worcester, UK, CC BY 2.0 · source
Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
and (c)2008 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man…, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate…, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
David Short from Windsor, UK, CC BY 2.0 · source
peganum from Henfield, England, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
John Rusk from Berkeley, CC BY 2.0 · source
Magnus Manske, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Related plants

African Bush Daisy (Euryops Chrysanthemoides) — evergreen shrub well-known for its resplendent

Shrub

African Bush Daisy

Euryops Chrysanthemoides

FullUSDA 9–11

African Daisy (Arctotis Hybrids) — The African Daisy (Arctotis hybrids) brings vivid color to any garden

Ground cover

African Daisy

Arctotis Hybrids

FullUSDA 8–10

African Daisy (Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca) — commonly known as African Daisy

Annual

African Daisy

Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca

FullUSDA 9–10

Aloha Coneflower (Echinacea 'Aloha') — The Echinacea 'Aloha', or Aloha Coneflower, boasts cheerful yellow petals surrounding a honey-toned cone

Perennial

Aloha Coneflower

Echinacea 'Aloha'

Alpine Aster (Aster Alpinus) — showcasing daisy-like blooms with purple petals and yellow centers from late spring to early summer; achieving both, image 99

Perennial

Alpine Aster

Aster Alpinus

FullUSDA 2–10

Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus) — Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)

Perennial

Alpine Aster

Aster alpinus

FullUSDA 6–10