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Hardy Perennial
FROM £12.99
Very tall and dramatic ornamental feature plant
Impressive artichoke flowerheads from June onwards with winter interest
Superb for pollinators and birds
Height Up to 2m (5ft)
Spread Up to 1.2m (4ft)
Hardy Perennial
kitchen gardencottage gardenswildlife gardenslow maintenance gardencut flower gardenspecimen plant
full sun
This spectacular feature plant was once confined to the Victorian vegetable garden, but Cynara cardunculus is now valued as magnificent ornamental plant that makes a striking impression in the border.
Great mounds of huge, silvery-grey, deeply cut leaves provide strong textural interest and colour throughout the season. From the centre of the clump rise thick, towering stems topped with artichoke-like flower heads from June onwards. In late summer, the large, scaly buds burst into purple, thistle-like flowers, commanding attention over the border. If left on the plant, the dried flowerheads continue to provide interest throughout the winter and look fabulous on frosty mornings.
This is not a plant for a small border - the huge clumps of foliage occupy at least a metre in diameter - but in a large border it makes a theatrical centrepiece, providing a dramatic counterpoint to the lower rounded masses of adjacent perennials. It continues to provide strong structure and interest throughout the winter when other plants have died back. Cynara cardunculus is also a brilliant plant for wildlife – the thistly flowers are a magnet for beneficial pollinators whilst birds such as finches will often raid the dried seed heads. The flowerheads make a bold addition to indoor vase displays. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 1.5-2m (4.9-6.5ft). Spread: 1.2m (4ft).
Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.
Show Codes
1 x 9cm Potted Plant (KH1492)
2 x 9cm Potted Plants (KH1493)
3 x 9cm Potted Plants (KH1494)
Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.
Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.
Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.
Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.
Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.
Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.
For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.