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Cardoon is a magnificent perennial native to southern Europe, with spiny, gray-green foliage and purple, thistle-like flowers that grow to five feet. The French first grew it as a vegetable, and Quakers brought it to America in the 1790s. Although related to Globe Artichokes - which Jefferson grew throughout his life - the edible part of Cardoon is its thick leaf stalk, which can be blanched with mounded soil.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Cardoon.
Typical Blooming Dates: June through August
Blossom Color: Purple
Location at Monticello: Vegetable Garden