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Globe Artichoke was included on one of Jefferson's first lists of vegetables grown at Monticello in 1770. His Garden Book sporadically charted the first to "come to table" and the "last dish of artichokes" from 1794 and 1825. Also known as French Artichoke, this native of southern Europe has been in cultivation since the 1500s. Globe Artichokes are not reliably hardy in Virginia, as Jefferson acknowledged in his letter to his Parisian friend, Madame de Tessé in 1805: " . . . we can have neither figs nor artichokes without protection from the winter." The edible "chokes" develop by midsummer and several can be harvested during the season. If left on the plant, they will develop into the purple, thistlelike flower.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Globe Artichoke.
Typical Blooming Dates: July - September
Color(s): Purple
Location at Monticello: Vegetable Garden Terrace
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
