Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence' (Cardoon 'Violet de Provence')
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence'
Other names
Cardoon 'Violet de Provence', Globe artichoke 'Violet de Provence', Prickly artichoke 'Violet de Provence'
Genus
Cynara Cynara
Variety or Cultivar
'Violet de Provence' _ 'Violet de Provence' is an upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, with pinnatifid, nearly spineless, silvery-grey leaves and globe-shaped, edible, purple flower buds opening to purple, thistle-like flowers in summer and autumn.
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence' is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Purple in Summer; Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Black-fly , Slugs , Snails Black-fly , Slugs , Snails
General care
Pruning
If you want this plant only for its foliage, cut down flower stems as they emerge in summer. After first harvest, cut to the ground to encourage a second crop.
Propagation
Sow indoors from late winter to early summer. Direct sow in midsummer. Garden-collected seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence' (Cardoon 'Violet de Provence') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and protect from strong winds. In very cold winters, apply a dry mulch around the plant. Harvest of buds depends upon when seed was sown.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence'
Other names
Cardoon 'Violet de Provence', Globe artichoke 'Violet de Provence', Prickly artichoke 'Violet de Provence'
Genus
Cynara Cynara
Variety or Cultivar
'Violet de Provence' _ 'Violet de Provence' is an upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, with pinnatifid, nearly spineless, silvery-grey leaves and globe-shaped, edible, purple flower buds opening to purple, thistle-like flowers in summer and autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer; Purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
If you want this plant only for its foliage, cut down flower stems as they emerge in summer. After first harvest, cut to the ground to encourage a second crop.
Propagation
Sow indoors from late winter to early summer. Direct sow in midsummer. Garden-collected seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Cynara cardunculus (Scolymus Group) 'Violet de Provence' (Cardoon 'Violet de Provence') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and protect from strong winds. In very cold winters, apply a dry mulch around the plant. Harvest of buds depends upon when seed was sown.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Designed by Helen J Rosevear and Jane Stoneham. This accessible, sensory-rich family garden promotes the Year of Green Action 2019. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login