Hardys Cottage Garden Plants
Cynara cardunculus
Cynara cardunculus
Available Spring 2027
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Plants are dispatched in growing condition and may not be in full flower. If too tall to pack safely, we may cut them back — this helps them establish more quickly. Read our Mail Order FAQs.
Commonly known as Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus is a robust, vigorous perennial with a bold upright habit. The large, deeply lobed, spiny leaves are grey-green, and tall stems carry large globe-like lilac thistle flowers in late summer — a dramatic and highly architectural presence in the garden.
It thrives in full sun in well-drained soil and tolerates drought well once established. Choose a sheltered position to protect the foliage. Perfect for adding architectural interest to a large border and a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
Height × Spread: 200cm × 100cm