Artichoke 'Green Globe'

Common name: Globe artichoke

Description: 'Green Globe' is the classic globe artichoke, producing tall, arching stems of deeply cut, silvery-grey leaves that lend a bold architectural quality to the kitchen garden or ornamental border alike. In midsummer it bears handsome, scaled flower buds on tall stems — the prized edible part, harvested while still tight — that will open into spectacular large thistle-like purple blooms if left to develop, providing an excellent late-season display.

Other benefits: architectural foliage, dual-purpose ornamental and culinary plant, excellent for cutting when in bud, attracts bees when in flower, long-lived once established

Wildlife attraction: Bees and other pollinators are strongly attracted to the large thistle flowers when they open.

Height & spread (approx.) at maturity: 1.5m x 1.2m

Position: Full sun in a warm, sheltered spot; protect from cold, drying winter winds.

Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline; prefers fertile, well-drained soil.

Moisture: Moist but well-drained; mulch generously in autumn to retain moisture and protect the crown.

Winter hardiness: Hardy to around -10°C (H5); protect the crown with a thick mulch in colder parts of the UK.