CORVALLIS, Ore. — With deeply lobed silver leaves and a 3-foot stature, the artichoke adds drama to the garden and delight to the dinner table.
Purchase starter plants in May or June from a local nursery or reputable mail-order catalog.
Artichokes can brighten up a perennial border, serve as a striking specimen plant or anchor a vegetable garden. But most people grow them for their edible appeal — leathery leaves perfect for dipping and the tender, flavorful heart at the center.
Although artichokes thrive in the cool, moist climate of coastal California, Western Oregon is usually mild enough to grow them as perennials — if they are cut back and mulched in winter — according to Jim Myers, vegetable breeder and researcher with Oregon State University.
For best results, Myers recommends growing varieties such as ‘Green Globe’, ‘Imperial Star’ and ‘Emerald’.
“For something unusual, try growing ‘Violetto’,” Myers said. “It’s highly variable in terms of spines and purple coloration, but in my opinion, it has the best flavor of all the artichokes.”
Growing artichokes in Oregon
In Western Oregon, artichokes can often be grown as short-lived perennials. In Central and Eastern Oregon, gardeners may grow them as annuals with some extra care.
Purchase starter plants in May or June from a local nursery or reputable mail-order catalog.
“Plant artichoke starts in loose, well-amended soil in full sun,” Myers said. “Space them 3 to 5 feet apart, and when planning your garden, consider the shade they’ll cast. Water and mulch regularly.”
By midsummer, artichokes should begin producing flower buds — the edible part of the plant. Harvest the buds before they begin to open. If allowed to bloom, the plant produces a large purple thistle-like flower that can be dried for decorative use.
In mild climates, harvesting all the buds may encourage a second crop in the fall.
Care and maintenance
Artichoke plants typically produce well for three to four years. After that, it’s best to dig and divide them, as they begin to form offshoots that can crowd the original plant.
In fall:
- Cut back the plant.
- Mulch with a generous covering of leaves or straw.
- In spring, uncover new shoots from the parent plant around April.
Be aware that in colder winters — even with mulching — artichokes may not survive.
Previously titled Ornamental or edible, artichokes have a place in the garden
