Product description
Cynara Cardy is a massive, highly aggressive Mediterranean thistle that explosively builds a towering architectural rosette, commanding an enormous physical footprint in a single season. It features deeply jagged, intensely metallic silver-grey leaves that act as a phenomenal anchor point, before producing gigantic, electric-purple thistle heads biologically designed to support and feed heavy bumblebees.
You must plant this giant in a baking hot, south-facing border with deep sand or highly alkaline, sharply draining chalky earth, as the crown will rapidly rot in heavy clay. Because it strongly prefers mild drought over sitting in a soggy puddle, you rarely need to water it once established. If you want to preserve the striking silver foliage, ruthlessly cut away the towering flower stalks before they open, and always chop the rotting structure down to the soil line before winter wet sets in.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Globe Artichoke
Cynara 'Cardy'
Cynara 'Cardy'
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Product description
Cynara Cardy is a massive, highly aggressive Mediterranean thistle that explosively builds a towering architectural rosette, commanding an enormous physical footprint in a single season. It features deeply jagged, intensely metallic silver-grey leaves that act as a phenomenal anchor point, before producing gigantic, electric-purple thistle heads biologically designed to support and feed heavy bumblebees.
You must plant this giant in a baking hot, south-facing border with deep sand or highly alkaline, sharply draining chalky earth, as the crown will rapidly rot in heavy clay. Because it strongly prefers mild drought over sitting in a soggy puddle, you rarely need to water it once established. If you want to preserve the striking silver foliage, ruthlessly cut away the towering flower stalks before they open, and always chop the rotting structure down to the soil line before winter wet sets in.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Give your plants the best start
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
If you want to keep the striking metallic silver foliage looking absolutely pristine, you should ruthlessly cut away the towering flower stalks of Cynara Cardy before they open. Allowing it to produce massive purple thistles rapidly drains its energy and causes the lower architectural leaves to turn yellow and collapse. Later on, chop the entire rotting structure down to the soil line to prevent wet weather from destroying the crown.
How to Water
Drench the deep root zone immediately after planting to lock Cynara Cardy securely into the gritty, well-draining soil. Check the ground periodically, providing a massive, deep soak only when the top several inches have turned to dust. Because it is a rugged Mediterranean native, the plant strongly prefers mild drought over sitting in a constantly damp, soggy puddle.
How to Plant
Dig a cavernous hole in a baking hot, south-facing border to accommodate the incredibly fast, massive growth of Cynara Cardy. Ensure the surrounding earth is highly alkaline and drains instantly, as the crown will rot in heavy, wet clay. Give this giant an enormous amount of lateral breathing room, as its metallic, jagged leaves will quickly command a massive physical footprint.
