Artichoke Imperial Star 2 organic plants

Discover Imperial Star Artichoke, a vigorous mid-season variety from Italy. On plants 1 to 1.5 m high, it offers 7 to 8 round, green heads tinged with violet, 10 to 15 cm in diameter and weighing up to 400 g. Grow these perennial gems in your vegetable or ornamental garden, and enjoy their delicious, fine-fleshed vegetables or their majestic blooms.

How to grow the "Imperial Star" artichoke?

Artichokes enjoy sunny exposures, away from trees or hedges, and deep, rich, well-drained soil.

Transplant in early autumn or spring, 1 m apart in all directions. Water well at planting to ensure good growth.

Hoe the plants to keep the soil clean. Apply well-decomposed manure or compost around the plants in late spring. To enlarge artichoke heads, pierce the center of the stalk with a thorn. After harvesting in autumn, cut back the main stems to 2 cm above ground level, leaving the offshoots for the following spring. Wrap the plants in straw in winter and renew the mother plants every 3 to 4 years.

How to harvest the "Imperial Star" artichoke?

Artichokes generally produce a large flowerhead on the main stem, followed by a series of smaller flowerheads on the branches.

Artichokes are harvested before the flowers appear, when the lower scales, called bracts, of the flower heads are just half-open and those at the top are still tightly closed. Cut the stem with secateurs, 12 to 15 cm below the head. The smallest heads on the branches can also be harvested mid-growth and eaten raw.

Multiplying artichokes

Although the artichoke reproduces by seed, it can also be easily propagated by "œilletonnage" in March or April:

• remove the offshoots, or "œilletons", from the base of each mother plant by digging a knife deep into the soil;
• trim each shoot by cutting 20 to 30 cm above the plant with a chisel;
• pralinate the plant in a mixture of clay and water;
• plant the new seedling, burying the collar by 2 cm ;
• water.

Which companion plants for artichoke plants?

In the vegetable garden, the "Imperial Star" artichoke is a good neighbor for lettuce, broad beans, peas, onions, radishes, cabbages and beans.

Shipping and delivery of "Imperial Star" artichoke plants

Orders are dispatched every Monday.

• Shipment to mainland France only.
• Shipping cartons designed for optimal plant protection.
• Free shipping does not apply to plants.