The Green Globe Artichoke is a popular heirloom variety known for its culinary and ornamental value:
Characteristics
Perennial plant hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11
Grows to a height of about 4 feet (1 m)
Features silvery-green leaves
Produces 3-4 edible flower buds per plant
Buds are 2 to 5 inches (5-13 cm) in diameter
Growing Information
Requires full sun and well-drained soil
Needs a long growing season
Can be grown as an annual in colder climates by starting indoors
Plants should be spaced 4 feet apart
Takes 150-180 days to mature from seed
Uses
Edible flower buds are harvested for culinary use
If left unharvested, buds open into attractive purple thistle-like flowers
Often grown as an ornamental plant due to its attractive appearance
Benefits
Highly nutritious vegetable
Adds visual appeal to gardens
Can be grown for both food and ornamental purposes
Green Globe artichokes are known for their improved uniformity in plant size, reduced spines, and better production compared to the original 1863 heirloom variety