Artichoke Purple of Romagna
Artichoke Purple of Romagna is a purple perennial artichoke growing to 1m. It has silver/grey leaves and looks similar to a thistle. This Italian heirloom is very popular with chefs for the medium to large green/purple flowers which are used in the kitchen. Also looks pretty as an ornamental plant. Harvest when flower buds have reached full size but before they have begun to open.
Sow – September to November (cool climate). Plant seedlings after risk of frost has passed.
Spacing – 80cm.
The artichoke is a domesticated variety of the wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), which is native to the Mediterranean area. There was debate over whether the artichoke was a food among the ancient Greeks and Romans, or whether that cultivar was developed later, with Classical sources referring instead to the wild cardoon.
