Published in the News-Review February 7, 2025

“Growing Artichokes”

By: Chris Rusch              

Question: Can artichokes be grown successfully in the Umpqua Valley? What can you tell me about the planting, care and cultivation of these plants?

Answer: The artichoke, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, is a perennial plant that is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae). The artichoke is both a nutritious vegetable and a beautiful landscape plant. 

Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean basin, originally grown in Italy and Sicily as far back as 300 BC. They were a delicacy to the ancient Greeks and Romans. In 800 AD the artichoke was introduced to Spain by the African Moors who brought the plant from Sicily. Artichokes were introduced to the United States by French and Spanish colonists and were grown in the American colonies by the 18th century. Today, California is the main producer of artichokes in the United States.

Artichokes are herbaceous perennials with large, silvery leaves and globe-shaped edible flower buds. Artichoke plants can reach 3 feet in height and width, and the lovely purple flowers can be 7 inches in diameter. Artichokes require a warm, sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. When selecting a spot to grow your artichoke, avoid areas that are prone to frost or standing water. You can improve the soil with compost, manure, or other organic matter. To grow artichokes from seed, start them indoors in late February or March under grow lights for about eight weeks, and then plant them outside after the last frost. Plants can also be purchased from your local garden center. Be sure to water your artichokes frequently after transplanting. During the growing season, the artichoke needs to be irrigated once weekly, more often in warm areas and less often in areas with heavy soil. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart. Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and help control weeds.

For the best success, recommended varieties for our area include Green Globe, Imperial Star and Emerald. The Green Globe artichoke is the most popular variety of artichokes, known for its large, deep green flower buds with a slight purple tinge. This variety produces multiple buds on a tall stem, has thick, fleshy scales, and can grow up to 4-5 feet tall with silvery-green, deeply lobed leaves. This is one of the hardiest artichoke varieties, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun conditions. For something unusual, try growing Violetta. It has great flavor and interesting spiny violet bracts. Violetta is a stunning heirloom variety from northern Italy. Violetta produces deep purple artichokes that contrast beautifully with the foliage when they are in bud. It is slightly smaller and later ripening than the Green Globe artichoke, but particularly tender and delicious.

Artichokes should be harvested in early to mid-summer for newly planted plants, and in late spring for established plants. The ideal time to harvest is before the outer “petals” open. If you miss the ideal artichoke harvest time for Globe and Violetta types and the buds are not harvested, they will form a purple flower that can be cut for fresh or dried arrangements.

In the fall, before a hard frost, cut plants to 8-10 inches above the ground and mulch with clean straw to keep the crown from freezing; crown death may occur at 25 degrees F or below.  Artichokes require a dormant period each year to trigger a new round of flowering the following year; this usually comes in the cool of winter. Do not water or feed plants during the dormant time. In the spring, dress the plants with compost and begin watering again; foliage will re-sprout and plants will produce new flower buds. An artichoke will produce well for about three or four years. After that, it’s best to dig and divide it as it produces off-shoot plants that may crowd the original plant.

A common problem you may encounter with your artichoke plants are aphids. If you see aphids, wash them off with a hard spray of water, or spray them with neem oil or pyrethrins. Other problems include powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and botrytis rot, especially during rainy weather. Curly dwarf virus and bacterial crown rot are other artichoke diseases. To reduce the chance of diseases becoming a problem, leave plenty of space between plants, avoid overhead irrigation and do not plant in water-logged soil.

Artichokes are finding increasing popularity among gardeners, both as a striking specimen plant or the flagship of a vegetable garden. With its deeply lobed silver leaves and edible flower buds, the artichoke unfolds as much mystery in the garden as it does on the dinner table. 

Do you have a gardening question? Please email, call, or visit the Douglas County Master Gardener Plant Clinic at douglasmg@oregonstate.edu, 541-672-4461, or 1134 S.E. Douglas Ave., Roseburg. Douglas County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who help the OSU Extension Service to serve the people of Douglas County.